You could text Jul, if you could get your phone charged. I’m sure it’s not the batteries. The wires in the charger may have come unstuck. You could test for continuity if you had a continuity tester! He’s in Thames at the moment, mulling over his options, I believe.
I’ve checked Doxy online. I checked it when you were in hospital, but obviously didn’t go deep enough. The more I look, the more it sounds like you’re allergic to it. The problem is, as it says here:
“To prevent malaria, the antibiotic doxycycline is taken 1 to 2 days prior to travel to an area where malaria is present, daily while in the area, and daily for 4 weeks after departure from the area.”
Well, you’ve more or less left the area now, but you’re supposed to keep taking it for four weeks! Not much good if what follows is what you had (have):
“Doxycycline Side Effects and Warnings
Do not take doxycycline if you are going to be exposed to strong sunlight, such as on the beach. Doxycycline increases the sensitivity of the skin to the sun’s rays. If you must take doxycycline, because no other treatment is available, be sure to protect yourself from the sun.The following travelers should NOT take doxycycline; persons allergic to doxycycline or other tetracyclines.
Doxycycline increases sensitivity to sunlight. Notify your doctor if you develop breathing difficulties, skin rash, hives or sore throat while taking this medication.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking doxycycline and seek emergency medical attention:
∑ an allergic reaction (swelling of your lips, face, or tongue, difficulty breathing);
a life-threatening allergic reaction (symptoms are trouble breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; hives)
In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness or trouble breathing.”
More of the same, ad nauseum.
So, what to do, assuming that you are allergic to Doxy, but that you were bitten by some malarial pest up North, and should keep taking something for four weeks? Or, maybe, you can say with some certainty that you were not bitten during the last four weeks?
I’ll pop into the pharmacy and ask the bloke.