Ask for a Ross River test

Adam Ellaz has a message he would like to share with the residents of Phillip Island.

If you have a fever, severe joint and muscular pain, that has gone undiagnosed, and are in excruciating pain, as he was for almost 3 months, ask your doctor for a Ross River fever blood test.

Adam was at his wits end in February after seeing three different doctors over the space of  three months; at the Health Hub, Wonthaggi Hospital, and Cowes Medical Clinic; with no diagnosis or relief for his pain.

A fortnight ago, he read a report in the Advertiser about a Ross River fever outbreak, and description of its symptoms,  on Phillip Island.

The penny instantly dropped! 

He returned to the Clinic and asked a fourth doctor for a Ross River fever test to be carried out.

It was a huge relief when it came back positive.

The mental stress of finally having a diagnosis was a huge weight lifted.

Looking back, Adam is unimpressed with his treatment from the doctors he saw over that three month period, as Ross River is a notifiable condition and he now knows it has been prevalent on Phillip Island over the summer season.

He also felt he was not taken as seriously as he should have been when he sought help for excruciating pain.

He had to ask to be tested,  in spite of presenting to doctors with text book symptoms on three occasions, and publicity about the virus circulating weekly in local newspapers.

Adam contracted  the virus in November.

He came down with symptoms which started with a fever and chills but developed into a body rash, and then developed into unbearable pain in his wrist and ankle joints.

His first point of call was the Phillip Island Health Hub, where he also pointed out an angry bite mark on his right hand.

It was decided by the doctor that he was suffering heatstroke.

The next day he woke in excruciating pain in his joints and muscles, unable to walk or use his hands.

Two days later, barely able to drive, he went to the Wonthaggi Hospital.

The doctor there suggested he may have rheumatoid arthritis, while commenting it was nevertheless  uncommon to have pain in all four wrist and ankle joints at the same time. 

The hospital took blood tests and an X Ray, which all came back negative.

Adam’s condition got worse, and hoped that time off manual labour over the Christmas break would help with his recovery.

He was lethargic, in pain, depressed, and fatigued. 

He returned to work  mid January and he struggled to carry on. Heavy work was beyond him, although he is in the concrete business.

He next went to the Cowes Medical Clinic where he was given an ultrasound as well as blood tests and X ray.

The doctor there put his condition down to the wear and tear of his trade as a concreter, and to ligament damage.

He was put on tablets, however, and they did work, he said.

“I could at last use my hands and walk without pain. I was about 70% improved.”

He then read an article in the Advertiser about Ross River virus.

“The penny immediately dropped. I had every symptom the article described.

He returned to the  Cowes Clinic, and requested a blood test for Ross River virus be taken.

It came back positive.

He was elated. 

“At least I knew what I had. The pain and not knowing was affecting me quite badly, mentally.”

Adam now knows that for months there have been recorded cases of Ross River virus on Phillip Island, as it is a notifiable disease. And there was widespread publicity about it.

“For months there have been cases. I had the exact symptoms. But not once was I tested for it. I had to ask for it to be done.”

Adam is certain he caught the virus on Phillip Island, because he had not been anywhere else.

It is caused by a mosquito bite.

“It could have been anywhere. I work all over the island.”

He is still suffers pain, but the mental stress has been relieved.

He is now able to perform light duties, with heavy lifting and manual labour still beyond him at the moment.

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