CHAPTER 365: CHAPTER 365: SUDDEN INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Ningwan brought Jiuzun to the hospital, unexpectedly finding it overcrowded.

"Make sure to wear your mask, why are there so many people in the hospital?" Ningwan asked, surprised.

Jiuzun replied, "Not sure. Oh, right, the news mentioned some skin disease, telling everyone to be more cautious recently."

"Wear this sachet on you." Ningwan took out a sachet from her bag and handed it to Jiuzun.

Jiuzun asked eagerly, "Can it prevent skin disease?"

"Don’t be so happy, it’s just prevention, not a cure. You still need to exercise more and eat high-protein food for good health," Ningwan said.

"Get in line, get in line, you can’t go inside."

Someone blocked Ningwan and Jiuzun’s way.

Ningwan said, "We are not here for treatment; we are here to see Doctor Zhao."

"Doctor Zhao is very busy right now, he has no time to see you," the nurse said dismissively.

Ningwan frowned.

Jiuzun said angrily, "Do you know who we are? Hurry and get Zhao here."

"Can’t you understand human language? I’ve already said the doctor is busy and can’t see you, leave immediately," the patients in line behind also yelled at Jiuzun and Ningwan.

The two became the target of criticism.

"Forget it, Jiuzun, let’s leave first," Ningwan had to say to Jiuzun.

In this situation, they wouldn’t be able to see Zhao Changyuan.

No use in insisting; if they anger everyone here, it would be even harder to handle.

"Alright, let’s go first."

Jiuzun was also afraid upon seeing so many people shouting at them.

Two fists can’t fend off a hundred hands; he can’t handle so many people.

"Ah, call quickly, my husband is not doing well."

Suddenly, an old man fell to the ground, and people around quickly backed away.

An elderly woman wailed loudly, shaking the old man vigorously.

The nurse looked dumbfounded at this and rushed forward but hesitated to touch him upon seeing the old man’s complexion.

Ningwan saw this as ignoring someone in need.

She immediately pushed through the crowd to get closer: "Move aside and let me see."

"Don’t come near; what are you looking at? Do you know this disease can be contagious?" the nurse scolded.

Ningwan frowned, realizing it was an infectious disease.

"Even so, we can’t let the patient die on the ground. Trust me, I am strong against common viruses. Moreover, I am a Chinese medicine practitioner; I can’t just watch him die."

Upon hearing she was also a doctor, the nurse let her through.

"Jiuzun, stay back. Everyone move back, this is a contagious virus; if you stay so close, aren’t you afraid of dying?" Ningwan scolded.

With her words, everyone backed away.

Jiuzun was reminded by Ningwan and also put on another mask.

Ningwan likewise put on two masks and first examined the old man.

Opened his chest; indeed, the chest area was covered with red rashes.

Like chickenpox but different.

He’s in acute shock; immediately performed compressions and took out a small pill from her bag to put in his mouth, pressing it down his throat.

"What did you give him?" the old woman asked.

Ningwan replied, "A life-saving medicine. I don’t know the exact illness he has, but this pill can temporarily save his life. He still needs more specific treatment. This is the best I can do."

"Miss, you said you’re also a Chinese medicine practitioner, could you tell me what that pill was?"

Suddenly, a man’s voice came from behind, asking Ningwan.

The old man was now awake, his face still red, breathing heavily. He appeared very urgent, as though he could stop breathing at any moment.

The man in the back immediately had the nurse in protective gear carry the old man inside.

He kept looking at Ningwan, waiting for her answer.

Ningwan stood up and looked at him, "Who are you?"

"I’m Zhao Changyuan," the man said.

"You’re Zhao Changyuan?" Ningwan wondered.

"We came to find you," Jiuzun quickly said.

Zhao Changyuan said, "Since you’ve come to find me, please come inside. But I’m very busy now and have no time to entertain you. You’ll have to wait inside for a bit, moreover, I see this lady also understands medicine, if you’re willing, could you help me? There are too many patients and all the doctors in my clinic are overwhelmed."

"No problem, I can help. But I need protective gear as this is an infectious disease," Ningwan said.

Zhao Changyuan nodded, "Of course."

He immediately had the nurse bring over another set of protective gear for her.

He was also dressed very thoroughly, though his eyes were exposed.

The nurse was slightly more casual, just wearing a white coat with a mask and gloves.

While putting on the protective clothes, Ningwan asked, "What exactly is this disease? How is it transmitted? What’s the source of the virus? Has it been figured out?"

Zhao Changyuan said, "I don’t know either. Since last week, there suddenly appeared many people with flu-like symptoms. These people first have fever, cough, then develop rashes. After the rashes, they have difficulty breathing, eventually leading to shock and death. Just like the patient you saw, he entered into shock. Fortunately, you were nearby to save him from unconsciousness. If delayed further, it could have resulted in death. This disease progresses from onset to death within a very short time, about a week. The central hospital hasn’t provided a clear explanation yet, and now the hospital is overflowing with people, causing even my small clinic to be overwhelmed. Western medicine lacks a better treatment, so people are turning to Chinese medicine."

"The toxicity is so strong?" Ningwan frowned.

Zhao Changyuan said, "Yes, hence the high mortality rate."

"Then why hasn’t it been reported? Outsiders are still unaware of this," Ningwan said.

Zhao Changyuan said, "We are doctors; saving lives is our duty. Reporting to outsiders is unrelated to us, it’s the decision-makers’ responsibility."

"Yet, many outside people are still not wearing masks or taking protective measures. You said this disease is highly contagious with high mortality. If the news isn’t disclosed, more will be infected and it could spread further. If I hadn’t come to this clinic, I wouldn’t have known about it; if I didn’t carry masks habitually, I might have been infected today," Ningwan asserted.

Zhao Changyuan was silent.

"Forget it, talking to you is pointless. Let’s first save people, then I need to meet with the leaders," Ningwan said.

Due to the overwhelming number of incoming patients, doctors at the clinic worked tirelessly until 4 p.m., treating all the patients in this batch.

Ningwan fed her small pills from her supplies to the critically ill patients, which helped alleviate their conditions.

Finally, having treated this group of patients, the doctors could finally take a breath and eat.

"What was that small pill you gave earlier? Could you tell me?" Zhao Changyuan asked.