Maid Diagnoses Illness in 10 Seconds, leaving Frustrated Doctor Surprised

A Doctor's Struggle

A hepatologist from Kerala known as 'The Liver Doc,' Cyriac Abby Philips, recently shared a surprising story. Despite his expertise and experience, he faced difficulty diagnosing a family member's illness. Standard medical tests were inconclusive, leaving him frustrated.

"My adult family member had episodes of relentless low-grade fever with chills, crippling fatigue, arthritis, and a weird rash. I tested everything from viral hepatitis to COVID-19, influenza, dengue, and Epstein-Barr Virus, but nothing came back positive. It was frustrating," Dr. Philips wrote on social media.

Unexpected Insight from Maid

As Dr Philips continued his research to find out the disease, his maid unexpectedly surprised him with the correct diagnosis. "My elderly maid came in and told me she has seen this rash in her grandchildren. It's called 'Anjaampani' in the local language (5th Disease), and I don't have to worry. We got checked for Parvovirus B19, and it came back positive," Dr Philips wrote. "Seventeen years of medical school and a Harrisons on my lap, and my elderly maid got it in like 10 seconds."

Understanding Fifth Disease

Medline Plus describes the fifth disease, also known as erythema infectiosum, as a viral infection caused by human parvovirus B19. It primarily affects children and spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.The most recognizable symptom is a bright red rash on the cheeks, often referred to as "slapped cheek syndrome." This rash can spread to other parts of the body and may be accompanied by additional symptoms.

Response to Social Media Questions

When social media users asked Dr Philips why he did not consult a general doctor, he replied, "People do not understand that most times, nowadays, a 'GP' is not the GP that we expect these days. Half my time in outpatient is spent deprescribing medications unnecessarily given by so-called GPs and specialists. It is easy to virtue signal on social media, but the reality is far different. For me, the maid's diagnosis was extremely valuable, and I did not have to take a day off to see a 'GP.'"

Dr. Philips' Heroic Acts

Earlier this year, Dr Philips emerged as a hero when he acted swiftly to save a man's life in mid-air on an Akasa Air flight from Kochi to Mumbai. He is also known for his research efforts in which he aims to eradicate myths surrounding alternative medicine.

-Prisha Jaiswal