OET Speaking, Medicine- 56, Waterborne Illness
OET Speaking, Medicine- 56. Setting: Sub-urban Clinic Doctor: This 31-year-old, otherwise healthy patient has been experiencing stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness for two weeks since swimming in a water hole (a natural hole where water collects) on a hiking trip. He/she originally thought it was the flu, but is now, seeking your advice as the symptoms are persisting. Task * Question the patient to determine if he/she swallowed any contaminated water. * Explain what contaminants' in the contaminated water are. (eg. micro-organisms from animal or human wastes etc) * Recommend tests to confirm the cause (eg. stool sample microscopy, culture and sensitivity, parasites, ova and cysts, test for Norovirus etc) * Recommend symptomatic treatment for now (eg. antiemetics, etc) and wait until the test results come back for specific treatment. * Advise against anti-diarrhoeal agents until tests confirm there is no infective (bacterial or viral) cause for diarrhoe. ...