Midwife in the Family Way by Fiona McArthur

given paracetamol for the fever and his aches and pains, but there was talk of transferring him to Brisbane if he worsened.
    By lunchtime the pathology results were back and as Gianni had suspected Seamus had brought home an infection from Africa. Dengue antibodies were isolated and at least they knew what had caused his fever. The implications for his family were something nobody discounted. Seamus must have incubated the bug since he’d been home and now three weeks later he was sick.
    â€˜The real threat is cross-infection to others if he’s been bitten by the local mosquitoes,’ Gianni told Christine. ‘I’ve seen epidemics like this in disaster areas. In the normal cycle of dengue, the female mosquito feeds onan infected and viraemic human, and in ten days the salivary glands of that mosquito become infected for life. That way the disease is spread to other humans before you know it you have an outbreak.’
    He glanced at the wall clock. ‘We’ll notify the local infectious-diseases department but I doubt they’ll do anything with only one case.’
    Christine held her husband’s hand. ‘So how soon will he feel better?’
    â€˜It will take a week at least,’ Gianni said, ‘though sometimes patients can relapse for a few days.’
    Emma remembered that adults were more likely to be infected than children, because the town had had a small outbreak a few years ago, but children could become quite ill with the worst forms of the disease. She’d have to watch Grace.
    Gianni went on. ‘His headaches and muscle pain will probably get worse and he may get gastric symptoms. This part of the disease process has to pass before he’ll improve sufficiently to feel normal.’
    Christine stroked her husband’s forehead. ‘Does he have to stay in hospital? Can we do anything for him by keeping him in that I can’t do at home?’
    â€˜Perhaps not now he’s rehydrated, and as you’re a nurse. As long as he drinks. He’ll be sick and uncomfortable, if you think you can manage.’
    Christine looked at Seamus who muttered, ‘Let’s try home, love.’
    Emma touched Christine’s arm. ‘I’ll set up a roster so someone comes to see you morning and afternoon togive you a hand.’ That was how it worked in Lyrebird Lake. If someone needed help, the load was shared through the network of friends, especially with those who worked at the hospital. ‘I’ll come around in the morning and help with his sponge and changing the bed,’ Emma promised.
    Gianni continued, ‘If he gets worse, ring for an ambulance again and bring him back. We’ll set up a room that’s isolated. Otherwise paracetamol for the pain and fever. No aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs because of the risk of bleeding.’
    Gianni laid his hand on her arm. ‘Keep the insect repellent on all of you. We don’t want any mosquitoes that have bitten Seamus biting you. Or your son.’
    â€˜Patrick,’ Emma said quietly.
    Gianni nodded. ‘And have Patrick empty any plant pots with water and clear away piles of leaves. No water lying around for mosquitoes to breed in.’
    Gianni would have seen this many times in disaster-affected areas. If they haven’t already bred, Emma thought, and promised herself she’d check around her own house.
    Gianni hadn’t finished. He added, ‘A mosquito net over Seamus through the day, as well. Remember it is those mosquitoes that feed morning and afternoon that pass on dengue, not the night-time ones.’
    Christine nodded. ‘I’ll get Patrick to see to it.’ They strapped Seamus, head drooping, in the passenger seat of Christine’s car, and Gianni closed the door for them.
    They stood together as Christine and her husbanddrove off. Emma sighed. ‘That’s how it spread last time, a teacher back from Indonesia and then through the local