Carlos Briones is a scientist and duvulgador of the CSIC and father of an 11-year-old boy. In a thread posted on Twitter, which has gone viral, complains that an emergency pediatrician prescribed homeopathy pills to cure some plaques in his son's throat.
Numerous studies have shown that homeopathy is useless, including organizations such as EASAC, Scientific Advisory Board of the European Academies and the Medical Association of Madrid stand against this practice. Having a pediatrician prescribe homeopathic products and sell them in pharmacies is worrying.
The father thus begins the thread:
I am going to tell you something very angry that has happened to me.
- Carlos Briones (@brionesci) September 12, 2018
Keywords: Public health, Pediatric emergencies, Homeopathy.
Yes, # homeopathy
I OPEN THREAD
CC: @SaludMadrid, @luciapediatra, @jramonfernandez, @Gilvernet, @Destejiendo, @Farma_Ciencia, @farmagemma pic.twitter.com/Nitjgl8Rhi
And he continues to tell what happened when he came to the emergency room of a Northwest Center in Madrid with his son who presented over 39º fever and plaques in the throat with severe pain:
An 11-year-old boy, let's say his name is DBR, goes to the emergency office in the afternoon, at a Health Center in the northeast of the city of Madrid. He has a fever of 39.2 ° C, clearly visible plaques in the throat and severe pain when swallowing.
- Carlos Briones (@brionesci) September 12, 2018
The children whose usual pediatrician has a morning schedule are referred to the pediatric consultation in the afternoon. The doctor who treats you say that it is called MCP and is in the consultation 10. pic.twitter.com/rSj1ph6gFS
- Carlos Briones (@brionesci) September 12, 2018
When touching his forehead, without taking his temperature with a thermometer, he says “yes it is hot, but it is good that he has a fever so that he can take everything out” So, how do you hear it. This also reminds me of unfortunate stories that I have read recently and I prefer not to bring here.
- Carlos Briones (@brionesci) September 12, 2018
He tells him to open his mouth but does not look at his throat, with a stick or without him, and does not see the plates. These plates: pic.twitter.com/yYYSv2rl7o
- Carlos Briones (@brionesci) September 12, 2018
He states that "it can be viral" so he says he could have a smear the next afternoon. It can be viral. I think that in the first of Medicine we study a case as clear as this of bacterial infection. But what doctor is this?
- Carlos Briones (@brionesci) September 12, 2018
"You can occasionally suck a pill"
Next comes the worst: the supposed doctor says: "so that the child is better, he can occasionally suck a Homeogene pill." That is, homeopathy. In a case like this. With a child. The dose, very clear: "You can take one, well, or more ... up to five a day"
- Carlos Briones (@brionesci) September 12, 2018
The lady in question, without cutting a hair, shows a blister of those pills, which she has as shown in her consultation. The brand I think sounds like you.
- Carlos Briones (@brionesci) September 12, 2018
Suspect? Noooo ...
These are the jelly beans in question, in a photo of course taken from the internet: pic.twitter.com/yKUL6HAbdG
And he adds something also unfortunate, that makes me think of so many friends and acquaintances who are serious pharmacists, professionals ... and who fulfill what their own professional College dictates: “You can buy them at the Emigrants Street Pharmacy, which I know there they have them. "
- Carlos Briones (@brionesci) September 12, 2018
Suspect? Noooooo ...
- Carlos Briones (@brionesci) September 12, 2018
This is the pharmacy (or the bazaar, as I would say @ScientiaJMLN) in question, where they sell homeopathy of all colors and flavors: pic.twitter.com/ozkDPzFlpz
Then he took his son to another pediatrician
Fortunately, public health is full of real professionals. Another pediatrician, after exploring him, diagnosed him with a severe bacterial infection and was prescribed the Penilevel antibiotic: 500 mg twice daily, for 10 days. Homeopathy, go. And anti-thermal, of course. pic.twitter.com/b5Zfj0EzJm
- Carlos Briones (@brionesci) September 12, 2018
Obviously, the claim before the Primary Health Care Management of @SaludMadrid is presented in writing, with the identification of the Health Center and the "doctor" in question, in addition to all the details of the case. pic.twitter.com/8qHnK7JVL2
- Carlos Briones (@brionesci) September 12, 2018
"This is a shame"
And I write very much to my regret, because I am a strong advocate of public health and I know many researchers, doctors, nurses, assistants ... who are serious and very professional.
- Carlos Briones (@brionesci) September 12, 2018
But this is a shame. I hope that my claim has some effect and measures are taken in front of this homeopath hidden behind a white doctor's gown. And seriously investigate how many similar cases there may be.
- Carlos Briones (@brionesci) September 12, 2018
Thank you for reading here and I will keep you informed.
When we go to the pediatrician with an emergency, as has been the case with this father, we trust that they will heal our children with awareness and science, so we hope it will be useful to disseminate it so that effective measures are taken against homeopathic products that have no scientific basis.
