Ch 10 The Clinic
After three people with colds who insisted they had SARS - "So buy some surgical masks, go home, draw up your will, and get fluids, rest and some vitamin C.", - and a woman who though her son had a concussion because he couldn't tell her who was president - "Presumably, the people Leno talks to on the street don't all have concussions"- another woman and her son came in.
"My son has a fever and he is vomiting. I think he has measles. Oh, God, will he be okay? He just had his vaccine and then I read that it can cause the disease. I shouldn't have vaccinated him. Can you please help him doctor?"
"Does anything hurt?" House asked the small, scared looking kid sitting on the exam table. In a voice so small it was almost a whisper, the boy answered "No,"
"Did he get a shot?"House questioned the mom.
"Yes, I just told you he did! I don't know how you can be so calm when my child might be gravely ill!"
House remained calm, almost bored. "He's fine. The measles vaccine doesn't come in the oral version that causes the disease more often. He would only get it if he's allergic to a preservative in the shot version and an oral vaccine is only available for..." House trailed off and stared at the wall, deep in thought. Suddenly, he stood up and headed for the door.
"That's it? What's wrong with my son?" the woman demanded.
House turned around, "He has the flu, so yeah, that's it. Next time read the medical journal article all the way through."
"You're leaving?!" Cuddy exclaimed angrily as House passed the nurse's desk.
"Emergency. Won't happen again," House smiled and crossed his fingers as he limped to the elevator.