Chapter 15: End-of-Year Discussion (2)

“What diseases need to be differentiated from Leptospira based on symptoms?” An Guk-tae’s first question was quite heavy. It wasn’t a type of question that could be answered with short responses. Honestly, even for established specialists, it wouldn’t be easy to answer unless they had continuously worked in this field.

Naturally, the faces of Department Head Shin Hyun-tae and Director Lee Hyunjong, who were seated as moderators, turned sour. From his position, Suhyuk couldn’t see their expressions, but he could guess how they felt. Therefore, the director decided to provide some advance consolation to Manager Shin.

“Hey, give me some yangju later. For comfort. I’ll do the same.”

“I understand… Ha… That human really… Despite not being good at presentations, he acts like that.”

Thus, they started a deep discussion on how best to console Suhyuk, but it lasted only until Suhyuk opened his mouth.

“Yes, Professor. For acute fever, there is malaria and dengue fever. However, both diseases can be excluded as there is no geographical connection with the patient.”

The smoothness of his response caused a stir among those present.

“Hmm?”

“Jaundice, kidney failure, bleeding tendencies require differential diagnosis for hepatitis, typhoid, rickettsia, hanta virus, etc. Hepatitis was ruled out by the initial blood test, and typhoid can be distinguished due to the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms. There were no signs of tick bites for rickettsia, and the timing differs for hanta virus.”

“Look at him, look!”

His answers flowed effortlessly. Lee Hyunjong momentarily forgot he was chairing the meeting and waved his finger enthusiastically towards Suhyuk.

Lee Hyunjong forgot he was sitting as the chairperson and waved his finger towards Suhyuk. It was only thanks to Manager Shin Hyun-tae that Lee Hyunjong didn’t jump up immediately.

His expression showed how much he wanted to exclaim ‘Oh my goodness, my son!’ He was genuinely surprised by this situation.

“Please calm down. Calm down. You aren’t a child anymore, so why are you acting like this?”

“Do I look calm now? Didn’t you hear his answer? How precise… It reminds me of when I was younger.”

Thus, the director acknowledged his affection for Suhyuk.

“You call him a Troll but claim he resembles you because he is doing well? Where did your conscience go?”

“Well, sometimes he still whispers into thin air. That’s why I said it. However, this…this one is a genius. A true genius!”

“Quiet down, please. Honestly, I am also surprised.”

Suhyuk’s answer showed that he was well-versed in all the diseases mentioned earlier. A first-year resident knowing so many diseases? Moreover, he could recite them fluently in front of such a large audience? Department Head Shin realized Suhyuk might be even more exceptional than he initially thought.

On the other hand, Professor An Guk-tae wasn’t pleased with this response; in fact, it irked him. He preferred if Suhyuk had pretended not to know rather than answering confidently. It rubbed him the wrong way.

“U-uh, yes. Hmm.”

Guk-tae, equally surprised, couldn’t immediately follow up with another challenging question.

“Yes, indeed. The question was too easy.” To buy some time, he muttered under his breath before formulating his next query.

On the other hand, Suhyuk appeared utterly composed. He was confident enough to answer questions about leptospirosis all day long. With his ability to retain information precisely after reading it, this task posed no challenge for him.

Hoping to see Suhyuk falter, An Guk-tae opened his mouth again.

“Just now…you mentioned Weil’s syndrome? The patient.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“What are the characteristics of Weil’s syndrome? Tell me.”

“Weil’s syndrome is also known as icteric leptospirosis. Therefore, jaundice is its most prominent feature.”

Not just Lee Hyunjong and Professor Shin Hyun-tae but everyone present was astonished by Suhyuk’s smooth response. Initially, when they heard that Lee Suhyuk would be presenting the case discussion, some third-year residents and fellows had expressed their discontent. However, their reactions were now similar to those around them.

‘They call him Royal… Did he receive private tutoring from Department Head Shin? There is no other explanation.’

Most people had similar thoughts as they watched Suhyuk. Some even whispered amongst themselves.

“A first-year resident? He’s definitely something else.”

“He devoured Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine.”

“There’s nothing he doesn’t know.”

Unintentionally, Professor An Guk-tae’s face turned red, realizing that his comments had unintentionally elevated Suhyuk’s reputation further. No one asked him to perform a ‘first-year takedown,’ but he couldn’t help himself; his ego was on fire.

“Is it just jaundice?”

A voice sounded somewhat angry, and both the expression and gestures clearly revealed his emotions. However, Suhyuk remained unfazed.

“[Would you be unable to answer this question?]”

Does he not know this too?

It was natural for Suhyuk to answer correctly since there wasn’t anything he didn’t know.

“No, compared to typical leptospirosis infections, there is a noticeable tendency towards bleeding. Petechiae and nosebleeds are common. Additionally, decreased kidney function, as you mentioned earlier, often leads to many fatalities.”

“Hmm… Yes, then Weil’s syndrome is the most severe form?”

Professor An Guk-tae now appeared to be praying fervently for Suhyuk to get it wrong. The entire auditorium could sense his desperate plea: Please, don’t know this answer.

Internally, An Guk-tae was indeed praying to any deity who would listen. However, Suhyuk showed no signs of backing down.

“Actually, no. There’s also Severe Pulmonary Hemorrhagic Syndrome caused by Leptospira. It’s a highly serious infection with a reported mortality rate of up to 50%.”

“Ugh.”

It was as serious and rare form of infection. There were about one case reported per year. How did Suhyuk know this?

A vein popped on Professor An Guk-tae’s forehead. Cold sweat dripped down his face, and his hands and feet turned pale as if they had become cold.

Seeing Professor An like this, Manager Shin Hyun-tae tutted, “Shouldn’t you stop now? It is pitiful.”

“Yes. Is there anything more to say here?” Lee Hyunjong wore a similar expression.

This seemed to be the first time Professor An Guk-tae found himself cornered since raising his hand to ask a question. Perhaps due to this, those who previously suffered at his hands now snickered while watching him. Sensing their gazes, An Guk-tae swallowed nervously before continuing again.

“Yes… What classification of infectious disease is Leptospira?” An Guk-tae changed his question from one about the illness itself to a policy-related query. He had a face that clearly showed he expected Suhyuk not to know the answer. Unfortunately for him, Suhyuk was well-prepared.

“It is classified as a Group 3 infectious disease.”

“T-Then before that?”

“In 1987, it was designated as an infectious disease. In 1993, it became a Class 2 statutory infectious disease, and since 2001, it has been classified as a Group 3 infectious disease.”

“That…”

Guk-tae didn’t expect such precise answers year by year. Neither Professor An Guk-tae nor Professor Shin Hyun-tae knew these details.

“I feel so embarrassed. Why is this happening, really?” Department Head Shin muttered involuntarily, glancing down at his hands to check if they were still there, feeling somewhat disoriented.

On the other hand, Director Lee Hyunjong was smiling broadly.

“That bastard from Seven Star Hospital didn’t even say hello. Huh? He acted so rudely before but now he is being nice.”

“Will you stop now?”

“I should stop. What else… Oh, look at him. He’s overflowing with fighting spirit.”

Professor An Guk-tae truly hadn’t put down his microphone yet. He was sweating profusely as he had always desired this moment.

At this sight, Suhyuk felt a bit guilty.

‘Should I have not mentioned the year?’

[I must tell everything I know.]

‘Well, that makes sense.’

[Wouldn’t it be a waste of your studies? Think back to how you studied and prepared for this presentation.]

‘Damn.’

The curse word involuntarily slipped out. Of course, this was an important opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.

However, considering the sleepless nights and rushed meals while preparing for this presentation, I didn’t think I could do it again.

“Huh?”

Coincidentally, Suhyuk’s final words were very familiar to everyone present.

“Did he say ‘shit’?”

“Ah… No way.”

“I didn’t hear anything…”

“He is quite a bastard, Professor An.”

“Haha.”

Thanks to this, some of the resident doctors started laughing as if they found it amusing. Particularly, those from Chilseong Hospital, which touched An Guk-tae’s pride. Unable to let go of the microphone, he decided to ask another question:

“W-Weil’s Syndrome. What is the origin of its name?” It wasn’t a nonsensical quiz question; rather, it was something expected from a medical professor.

It wasn’t a question that should be asked by someone with medical knowledge like An Guk-tae. As a result, Manager Shin Hyun-tae bowed his head, unable to look at Professor An Guk-tae.

“Embarrassing…”

“Do you want to win this way? Why is he doing this? That bastard.”

Director Lee Hyunjong couldn’t smile anymore. This presentation session was supposed to be a forum for a dignified exchange of knowledge, yet such questions were being raised. He was becoming angry. While waving his hand to end it, Suhyuk opened his mouth:

“It is named after Dr. Weil, who discovered and classified it.”

There was no way to confirm if this answer was correct or not. The origin of disease names usually appeared in memoirs rather than textbooks or research papers.

The name itself did not indicate any characteristics of the disease, making it medically insignificant.

“Huh.”

However, it seemed to have affected Professor An Guk-tae. He collapsed into his chair as if sinking, and after a brief moment, he was helped by a resident doctor nearby. They quickly fled from the auditorium.

‘He won’t be back for some time.’

With a chuckle, Department Head Shin grabbed the microphone once more. Then, looking at the audience, he asked:

“Well, does anyone else have any questions?”

His tone and expression implied ‘Is there anyone else who wants to burst like that?’ Naturally, no one raised their hand. Even Dr. An Guk-tae, known for causing trouble during presentations, had been completely discredited. Who would dare step forward?

It seemed as if Department Head Shin had no further questions to ask.

“Well… then I will conclude the 121st Taehwa Internal Medicine Case Presentation.”

After waiting approximately five minutes, Department Head Shin announced the end of the presentation.

At that moment, Director Lee Hyunjong, seated next to him, abruptly stood up and started clapping enthusiastically.

‘Ah, this hyung again.’

Department Head Shin discreetly tried to get him to sit down but without success.

Clap clap clap clap!

Fortunately, thunderous applause erupted from the audience as well.

Suhyuk bowed once more amidst the applause, feeling rewarded for all his hard work.

‘It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect. This is the ideal debut.’