Chapter 34: Maternity Ward Viral Outbreak
The next morning, David woke with a pounding headache.
Feeling the soreness throughout his body, David sighed, grabbed the pill bottle from the nightstand, and dry-swallowed them like Tic Tacs.
As the painkillers took effect, David rose as if nothing was wrong.
Shower, dress, leave, commute, work.
Until the key narrative events unfolded, this was David's daily routine.
Today, David arrived earlier than any physician in Diagnostics.
He was no longer content passively waiting in the department office.
If he remembered correctly, an infectious outbreak that would sweep the entire maternity ward was about to erupt at Princeton-Plainsboro.
If he could intercept it, he'd undoubtedly gain maximum lifespan in minimal time.
So while others hadn't started their shifts yet, David began circulating through the maternity ward.
Maternity was busiest in early morning.
Nurses hustled with tasks like newborn assessments and bathing, while physicians conducted postpartum rounds.
At this hour, the ward echoed with constant infant cries, creating an overwhelming chorus.
Amid the crying, a young father suddenly burst from a patient room.
When he spotted David wearing a white coat, his eyes lit up, his furrowed brow immediately relaxed, and he quickly approached:
"Doctor, could you please examine our daughter? She's vomited twice in the past hour."
Hearing the question, David reflexively replied:
"Spit-up? That's extremely common in newborns.
After all, it's normal for them to be somewhat dysregulated after transitioning from amniotic fluid."
The young man insisted:
"Sorry, Doctor. Since this is our first baby, maybe we're being overly anxious.
But her mom's really worried. If it's not too much trouble, please come reassure her."
This somewhat familiar exchange immediately made David's expression turn grave.
"Alright, let's take a look."
The moment he entered the room, the young mother looked up, regarding David like a lifeline:
"Doctor, please—does she have a fever?"
David carefully supported the infant's delicate neck and held her, then freed one hand to gently touch her forehead.
"She's definitely running hot, and she doesn't look right..."
Hearing David's assessment, the mother immediately interrupted anxiously:
"Doctor, is it serious?"
Before David could respond, the infant in his arms suddenly began seizing.
Observing the baby's sudden convulsions, David confirmed his suspicion.
The outbreak had begun!
He immediately called out:
"I need assistance here! Get a crash cart, now!"
Seeing this, the young mother immediately sprang from bed and asked frantically:
"Doctor, what's wrong with her? Does she need an IV? Is her life at risk? Will this—"
Facing the mother's rapid-fire questions, David simply raised his hand, gesturing for silence.
"Please trust the medical professionals, okay?"
Under David's steady gaze, the mother slowly sat, her eyes still fixed on the seizing infant.
Soon, maternity nurses in blue scrubs rushed over.
When they saw David, they froze.
There was no such physician on the maternity service.
Someone immediately challenged him:
"Who are you? Do you realize this is the maternity ward?"
David pointed to his ID badge:
"I'm Dr. Wells from Diagnostic Medicine. I happened to be passing through when this occurred.
I suspect viral infection, and all symptomatic infants nearby need immediate isolation."
The nurse regarded David skeptically.
Maternity nurses working rotating shifts didn't have fixed meal times and rarely visited the cafeteria.
They spent virtually all their time in maternity.
So they hadn't encountered this new intern.
Now she was highly suspicious of David's identity.
Because Diagnostics wasn't anywhere near the maternity ward—who'd believe he was "just passing through"?
He couldn't be here to abduct an infant, could he?
Moreover, they'd never heard that Dr. House had an additional fellow. This Wells looked increasingly suspicious.
"Sir, this is the maternity ward. Please let us handle this. You need to leave now."
Looking at the nurse's questioning gaze and polite dismissal, David immediately recognized his credentials had triggered suspicion.
It couldn't be helped—that's how it was for interns. More than half the departments at this hospital didn't know who David was.
The fact she wasn't calling security already showed restraint.
David shook his head and tried warning again:
"This genuinely is viral infection. Please isolate the other infants immediately, otherwise, with viral transmission, the babies won't have any immune resistance."
Seeing David still wouldn't leave, the nurse's expression hardened:
"Sir, please leave. Immediately!
Or I'm calling security!"
David shook his head and yielded his position to the nurse.
Then he rushed toward the Diagnostics conference room without delay.
It was just after shift change.
If nothing had changed, House shouldn't have gone down to clinic yet.
He needed House involved in this, otherwise, with his status as an intern, he simply lacked the authority and influence.
Soon, David burst through the door, immediately attracting attention from Chase, who was working the New York Times crossword, and Foreman, who was idly spinning a pen.
When Foreman spotted David, who'd missed the official start time, he spoke with gleaming eyes as if he'd discovered an incredible loophole:
"Kid, you can't possibly claim your attendance is acceptable this time, can you?
It's already a full ten minutes past the start of shift!
For someone like you who disregards protocol, I think you should find another hospital for your residency.
We can't accommodate you here."
David completely ignored Foreman and walked straight to House, who was spinning in an ergonomic chair.
Seeing David directly dismiss him, Foreman felt incredibly slighted.
His face flushed, and he abruptly stood, about to grab David's shoulder.
But at this moment, David's words already echoed through the small conference room.
"House, I think there's a problem in maternity. The infants are showing signs of suspected viral infection.
But the maternity attendings think it's just ordinary gastric reflux and aren't preparing to isolate the other babies.
I have reason to suspect a large-scale outbreak is imminent."
David's words instantly shocked the four people present.
Even Foreman momentarily forgot his intended action.
A large-scale viral outbreak was no trivial matter.
Especially since this virus targeted neonates—if infected infants aren't treated rapidly, the mortality rate would be astronomical!
Moreover, infants represent new families' hopes.
If a mass infant mortality event occurred, it was questionable whether this hospital could even remain operational!
House's expression also turned grave. Though David was an intern, he hadn't made any incorrect assessments yet.
Since David said this, there must be some foundation, and House couldn't afford to dismiss it.
House ignored the question of why David would be in maternity and said in a low voice:
"Let's go. We're checking the NICU."
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