Even though I'm certainly a bit of a masochist, having taken an extra shift last night... it was honestly not too bad. I covered a shift for consults and emergencies, and there were only a few consults.
There was also one man who had a positive HIV test from an ambulatory setting, but the lab that called to report it could not reach the providers (logically - this was nighttime!), hence they contacted me. They sounded a bit surprised about not being able to reach the daytime clinic providers at that hour (~8 p.m.), but common sense seems to elude some people. Nevertheless, I took the result, asked the lab to call the providers again during regular working hours, but still called the patient myself to break the news.
He and his girlfriend found out at the same time.
Important things to note in such a situation: all sexual activity must be stopped, and the infected person must inform all recent sexual partners about his diagnosis so that they can be tested as well. It's also important to make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible so that they can begin antiretroviral medications to combat the HIV infection.
Anyway, in the midst of the time, I'd say that this shift was worth doing. Simultaneously, I also find myself thinking that resting more still would have been the wiser choice. Oh well - what's done is done.
At least my mood isn't as crappy as it was yesterday. I'm still just kind of numb.
