"Detection of Pneumonia"

I had been suffering from what I thought was a simple infection, through exposure at work to a variety of other peoples' ailments and had received a course of antibiotics to clear it. I returned to the Practice one morning for a repeat prescription when it was obvious it hadn't cleared.

One of my usual doctors examined me and was unhappy with my blood oxygen level, having checked it on both hands and with a second monitor. The doctor suggested they would check with a consultant immediately, given the levels, so rang and talked them through the symptoms and my responses to the previous medication.

Both agreed I should come into Hospital immediately, so the doctor wrote me a covering letter and my wife took me to A&E.

After triage, I was examined and sent for X-Rays, which identified I had Double Pneumonia and was admitted to the Chest Ward later that day.

I was in Hospital for a week as further medication - much stronger and more aggressive antibiotics and intensive oxygen use restored my blood oxygen to acceptable levels for discharge.

It would have been very easy for the low oxygen level to have been put down to the existing illness and simply given me more antibiotics, thankfully my doctor saw past that and dealt with the matter superbly.

One of the doctors who saw me in hospital said if I hadn't come in that day, my options for treatment were much more limited.

I'm making a full, if slow recovery, at home, with support from my family, I wouldn't like to speculate my condition if I hadn't been referred.