Department of AIDS, Yangcheng Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Province.
"Beep!" There was a sound.
Watching the access light turn from red to green, Han Rong opened the door and walked into the laboratory.
He put on his white coat and PVC gloves, took out a quick reagent strip and a foam test tube holder from the refrigerator, and placed them on the table of the biosafety cabinet.
What is inserted on the foam is the blood sample sent from the blood collection clinic downstairs today.
Tear off the covering film on the reagent strip, use a pipette to absorb a small amount of the upper serum, and drop it onto each reagent strip.
Ten minutes later, the results appeared.
On one of the five reagent strips, two bars appeared.
A bit harsh.
"-", "+" represent feminine and masculine respectively. To him, "+" or "-" is just a symbol.
But for those who come for testing, the time they wait for the test results is actually waiting for the verdict.
The symbol that appears is the pass, and it determines their fate.
Whether to return to the human world or fall into hell.
The book of judgment is in his hands.
Han Rong has worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for three years and can face this scene in his daily work calmly.
At first, he refused in his heart, but as he saw more patients, he gradually adapted to it.
After registering the results, he walked out of the laboratory.
In the clinic, there were several people sitting in the clinic who were timid and with evasive eyes. There were men and women, old and young. They were all uneasy and anxious.
Han Rong informed the results one by one through the window.
Those who tested negative exhaled one after another, turned from worry to joy, and left in a hurry.
In the end, there was only a numb woman left, sitting there like a piece of wood, turning a deaf ear to the movements of others.
Han Rong walked over slowly and looked at the other person up and down.
This is a woman in her thirties, who looks a bit older and looks very haggard. Her clothes are also very simple. Her limbs are relatively thin, but her figure is a bit too plump.
Han Rong's eyes swept over the other person's slightly protruding abdomen, and his heart suddenly sank.
He didn't know what to say for a moment. This woman seemed to be pregnant, but she was found to be infected with AIDS.
Even though he was used to seeing all kinds of patients, when he saw this scene, his heart still felt as heavy as a mountain.
After a while, the turbulent emotions in his heart calmed down, and he said pleasantly: "Hello, Ding Xiaomei? You look a little pregnant. Are you pregnant?"
When Ding Xiaomei heard her name, her dull eyes became a little brighter. She turned her head to look at him and nodded: "It's been 6 months."
Her voice was devoid of any emotion, hollow and numb. It contained neither the joy of motherhood nor the discomfort caused by any physical discomfort.
Han Rong sighed secretly, sat across from her, considered it carefully, and then said: "I'm sorry to inform you that you may be infected with AIDS, and the child in your belly may also be transmitted from mother to child. Please be mentally prepared. , please come back for another test after the baby is born.”
After hearing this, Ding Xiaomei's eyes finally fluctuated, revealing immense pain, and tears instantly flowed down.
Han Rong silently handed over a few tissues, waiting for the other person to vent his emotions.
Then he continued to comfort: "It's like this. The country has many care policies for HIV-infected people, especially infants and women. You can be diagnosed and treated here for free, and then receive free drugs for treatment. In fact, you don't have to worry. Now AIDS It is no longer a terminal illness, and as long as you take medicine every month, you can stay healthy."
Ding Xiaomei's sobs slowly stopped, and she nodded with choked sobs: "Yes, I came here just because I heard that you can get free medicine here. I, I can't afford the self-paid medicine."
Han Rong showed a smile: "Your situation is very special. Our policy is tilted towards your situation. Now there is a new anti-AIDS drug in China and it is cooperating with us in clinical trials. If you are willing to participate, not only can you get it for free You can also get a certain amount of subsidies for medicines.”
Ding Xiaomei's eyes flashed with surprise, and she said in disbelief: "Really? Not only do you get free medicine, but you also get money for it?"
She had been poor and miserable for half her life, suffering all kinds of blows along the way. She never expected that at the lowest point, she would still have money.
"An experimental course of treatment is about two weeks and costs 5,000 yuan. There are two courses of treatment in total. Then, we will come back for a check-up after one month."
Han Rong nodded, glanced at her belly again, and added: "If you include the child in your belly, there are two places, and you can receive two amounts of money."
As soon as the words came out, the other party's eyes lit up instantly, and there was a hint of anger on his face, and he said, "I will participate."
She touched her belly gently and said quickly: "My child is one of them."
After finishing speaking, she asked curiously: "Doctor, why can children participate in the drug trial?"
Han Rong explained: "Because this drug is relatively safe, the scope of subjects has been broadened. Mother-to-child transmission is an important transmission route for AIDS. Many women and infants are infected, so clinical trials must also investigate Ways to do this.”
"If you participate in the experiment, you can not only test the drug's effect on killing viruses in pregnant women, but also test the drug's effect in blocking mother-to-child transmission after the child is born."
Ding Xiaomei nodded as if she understood, but didn't ask any more questions.
She only knew that this doctor in a white coat was a good man. Not only did he give her free medicine, but he also signed up for a trial of some kind of medicine, so that he could receive double money.
Han Rong brought the consent form for her to sign, then gave her the address of a hospital to try the medicine, and told her to come regularly for check-ups.
Ding Xiaomei held the document in her hand, thinking that her condition could be controlled and she would soon receive 10,000 yuan, which was a lot of money. She felt happy instantly and showed a rare smile.
Han Rong looked at the other person's leaving figure and let out a long sigh.
"I hope she can take her medicine on time, eliminate the virus as soon as possible, and the baby in her belly can grow up safely. The world is too malicious to such a baby. Fortunately, the country has policies to provide them with free treatment."
"I heard that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now cooperating with Sanqing. After this clinical trial is completed, free new drugs will be gradually released. This drug can completely clear the HIV virus in the patient's body and block the transmission route. If this continues, Sooner or later this damn virus will be eradicated.”
He thought silently and couldn't help but feel a little lucky, and at the same time he felt the heavy responsibility on his shoulders.
Just as I was thinking about it, an old man suddenly came over and asked timidly: "Doctor, my son is sick. The doctor said he has to come here to draw blood and get the results before he can see the doctor. Can you please hurry up?"
Han Rong looked up and his attention was immediately attracted by a boy.
People who usually come for testing usually don't see anything wrong and are just like normal people, but this boy showed a terrible pathology at first glance.
He lowered his head and couldn't see his expression clearly. He could only see his pale face and a very thin arm exposed. He could stand firm with the help of the old man.
Han Rong's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly realized that this boy was most likely sick.
The old man next to him looked older, but in front of his frail son, he appeared to be quite strong.
The boy sat down on the chair and then raised his face. There were pimples around his eyes and at the corners of his mouth, which looked very scary.
Han Rong didn't dare to take a closer look and asked, "Can you roll up your sleeves so I can draw blood?"
The boy nodded slowly, but his whole body was weak and he tried for a long time without success.
Han Rong didn't think much and carefully helped him pull up.
As the sleeves were slowly rolled up, he immediately saw the dense needle holes on the boy's slender arms.
Han Rong understood something instantly and didn't say much. He simply looked at the other person's arm and found that there was nowhere to put the needle. He asked a little embarrassedly: "I can't find a place to put the needle at the moment. Otherwise, I'll slap the other arm." ?”
At this time, his father suddenly spoke, still asking the same question, and it was obvious that he was very concerned about this.
"Doctor, how long will it take for your results to be available?"
While helping the boy roll up his sleeves, Han Rong replied: "The preliminary results will probably take a day at the earliest, and the official results will take a little longer."
"Can't we get the results right away? If you don't get the results for my son's eye disease, the doctor won't treat us."
The old man seemed a little anxious. He glanced at his son and then looked at Han Rong expectantly.
Han Rong had inserted the needle into the blood vessel, but because the blood vessel was too thin and shriveled, the bleeding was not smooth.
He had to keep trying to change his angle while answering the old man's questions.
"You guys came quite late. It's already afternoon. It will take time for us to get the results, and it won't be until tomorrow at the earliest."
"And this is only the preliminary screening result. The official result will not be released until feedback from superiors, which will take at least three to five days."
"Then you said that doctors have to wait for the results of your case, and if they don't give the results, they say there is no cure. Why?" The old man continued to ask questions reluctantly.
When the old man said this, Han Rong understood a little bit. He actually didn't know what kind of disease AIDS was or its dangers. He just wanted to cure his son's eyes quickly.
Han Rong thought for a while and said, "You'd better ask the doctor for specific details. We'll just do the testing here."
The old man gave a faint "hmm" sound.
Han Rong took out the needle from the boy and said to the old man: "Please press it on him for about five minutes. When the bleeding stops, take off the cotton swab."
The old man sighed, stepped forward to help his son up, and murmured in a low voice: "I won't treat this, and I won't treat that. How can I find a partner with such a pimple on my face?"
At this time, his son suddenly spoke and shouted helplessly: "Dad."
Then he turned to Han Rong and whispered: "Doctor, I'm sorry, my dad doesn't understand. Just let me know if anything happens in the future."
Han Rong nodded and thought for a long time before saying: "Be careful when going downstairs."
The boy smiled and nodded: "Thank you."
The old man was silent, with sadness and joy in his cloudy eyes, and he helped his son out of the clinic.
Han Rong looked at the copy of the boy's ID card. It showed "born in 1999" and he was suddenly filled with sadness.
He knew that this boy could reach this point for no other reason than seeking his own death, and he did not deserve sympathy.
But the old man is so pitiful.
The old father was kept in the dark and still held the simple thought of passing on the family line.
But everyone else, including the boy himself, knows that the likelihood of this wish coming true is really low.
Poor parents in the world!
Han Rong shook his head, feeling a little unbearable at what happened to his family.
This boy is too young. Even if he makes a mistake, he still deserves a chance to change.
After all, young people can't make mistakes.
However, he knew that the other party did not meet the standards for clinical trials, and 80% of them would not be able to apply.
"I hope your condition will not worsen. After Sanqing's new drug is launched, you will definitely be able to get free new drug treatment from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and you will be able to recover by then. This is also a chance for a new life. I hope you can cherish."
Han Rong thought to himself and decided to tell the boy the good news when the test results came out.
Such news should cheer up the boy.
Regardless of whether he can continue the family lineage, at least he can save an existing family.
Not long after, a colleague suddenly came over with several reports and said, "Xiao Han, I have something to do when I go out, please do me a favor."
"These are confirmed patients. You can call them to come and get the report in person."
Han Rong smiled and took the report: "Sister Zhang, okay, no problem."
He flipped through it casually and began to call the patients one by one with ease.
Generally speaking, the first blood test only detects HIV antibodies and performs preliminary screening. Only positive patients will continue to report to their superiors according to the process for another detailed test. Only when the superiors’ feedback results are still positive, the formal Confirmed to be infected with HIV.
Ding Xiaomei's situation was special, so after the initial screening test was positive, he informed the other party in advance and allowed her to participate in the clinical trial.
These patients who need to be notified by phone have all been diagnosed, and then people from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will formally notify them.
The first few phone calls went relatively smoothly. Although every patient was shocked, they all accepted the results silently and promised to come get the report as soon as possible and receive early treatment.
Han Rong did not forget to advise the other party to notify relatives, especially spouses, to come for testing.
"Okay, this is the last one."
"Hmm, a 40-year-old middle-aged man, unmarried?" Han Rong looked at the form filled out by the patient and was stunned for a moment.
But he didn't care and continued to make the call.
"Hello, Mr. Li? I'm from the AIDS Department of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The last time you came here for a test, the result came out and it was HIV positive. Please come and get the report in person and receive treatment at the same time. We can provide free medicine here."
Han Rong blabla talked, and the other party suddenly became impatient: "Okay, I get it, it's endless, it's annoying."
Considering his age, Han Rong felt that although the other party was unmarried, he must have a partner, and said with a smile.
"It's best to inform your partner and come to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing. As you know, the infection rate of this disease is relatively high..."
Before he finished speaking, a "du" sound came from the phone.
The other party hung up the phone.
Han Rong's smile froze, and an unknown fire suddenly emerged in his heart, which he suppressed after a while.
It's okay. The patient has been diagnosed as HIV-positive. It's understandable and understandable that the patient is in a bad mood and has a bad temper.
He comforted himself and called again.
According to regulations, HIV-infected people and patients must undergo epidemiological surveys (epidemiological surveys) and regular follow-up visits.
However, this time he made an excuse and changed his story.
"Hello, we are required to go to your home to disinfect and spread protection knowledge to your family. We hope you can cooperate."
The other party's tone suddenly became high-pitched, very impatient, and said forcefully: "I'm telling you, don't come!"
"My parents don't know about this. I'm getting married next week. If you mess it up for me, just wait. I definitely want you to look good!"
Later, the other party was literally threatening him with teeth.
Han Rong was shocked instantly.
"What? You're getting married?"
Before he finished speaking, the other party hung up the phone again.
He called again, only to find that he had been blocked.
"What a bastard!" Han Rong was so angry that his hair stood on end and he was about to explode.
"How could there be such a disgusting person who clearly knows that he has AIDS but blatantly wants to get married and refuses to tell the other party."
In fact, he has never supported absolute privacy protection for AIDS patients.
The original intention of this regulation was to protect AIDS patients from discrimination, but it has become a bargaining chip for some people to harm others and retaliate against society.
AIDS patients are a vulnerable group, but absolute privacy protection puts healthy people in an even more vulnerable situation. This is really terrible.
Maybe one part of the patients is a pitiful person, but the other part is a rat excrement, and the disaster is not as simple as a pot of porridge.
Do we really want to watch this bastard get married and a new AIDS patient be born?
Ding Xiaomei's figure kept appearing in his mind.
Han Rong stood up violently, a surge of anger swirling in his heart, and he ran directly to ask other colleagues.
"This is what happened, can we call the police?"
However, to his disappointment, the answers given by his colleagues were all hesitant and non-existent.
One of his old colleagues who had been with him for many years even patted him on the shoulder and sighed: "Xiao Han, it is a good thing for young people to be young and energetic and have a strong sense of justice. However, there are too many things that we cannot control here. ”
"Perhaps, when AIDS can be completely cured, your problem will be solved."
"But she can obviously not be infected!"
"Why not stop it in advance, but wait until after it happens and the damage has been done to make up for the loss."
Han Rong felt a sense of powerlessness in his heart. He really couldn't understand the world.
This feeling of clearly seeing a person doing evil and committing a crime but being unable to stop it is so uncomfortable.
When are people most helpless?
This is probably the time when you know the ending but can't do anything.
