DISPOSOPHOBIA

"What the hell is this?" Detective Rohan asked while coughing.

His partner just shrugged. He was the brightest among all the detectives in the city and yet he did not have any idea of what was before them - a huge pile of rotting junk.

"No wonder that guy came in super sick. With a house like this, he could get any disease. Why though?"

They went out rather quickly, afraid that they might get what the man had and proceeded back to the hospital.

They went up to the ward thereafter to talk to the patient. Just when they were about to enter, a nurse intercepted them.

"Officers, are you looking for the patient you brought in earlier?"

"Yes. What's the problem nurse?"

"He was just transferred to another hospital. Apparently, his organs started failing."

"That bad?" Detective Rohan asked.

"Where was he transferred?" his partner asked.

"Plainsborough University Hospital."

"Well then thank you. We'll be going then."

"We don't have a hold of it anymore. Right, Martin?"

Martin did not answer and just stared ahead.

***

"Doctor House, a patient just came in from another hospital. Here is his file."

"Why was he transferred?" Doctor House replied while reading some of his other patients' files.

"He was initially admitted due to loss of consciousness. After 24 hours, his kidneys started failing, along with hepatomegaly."

Dr. House rubbed his head, he has yet to fall asleep as he was on duty for a straight 48 hours.

"Okay, I'll go see him."

They reached the ICU where the man was confined. Dr. House examined him while reading the file.

"He was diagnosed with Dengue Fever?"

"His platelets were below normal. Dengue is endemic from the town he came from."

"Hmmm," the doctor thought. "I want a repeat test. I want a complete blood chemistry test also. I don't see this as a dengue case since his WBC count is elevated. Where are his family?"

"He did not have any. He was found unconscious outside his house, and has no one living with him."

"Hm, we'll just have to wait when he wakes up."

Dr. House went back to his quarters to have a couple of hours of rest. He was beginning to feel the effects of lack of sleep. And so he slept.

A loud knock woke him up.

"Come in," he said and sat up groggily.

Nurse Aira walked in with a worried expression.

"The lab results just came in Doctor." She gave it to him and waited for orders.

"Elevated creatinine and liver enzymes. How was his lungs in the imaging?"

The nurse gave him another file.

"Hmmm, not good. Might be SLE Weil Syndrome or ant other disease. Secure permit from local police to search his house. Maybe we could find some clues. Do blood CS."

"Yes doctor," the nurse answered and left him to carry out his orders. Meanwhile, Dr. House took out his medical books for a comprehensive differential diagnosis.

A couple of hours later, Nurse Aira came back along with the news that the patient has gotten worse. Resident doctors are pessismistic of his recovery. Dr. House shook his head. Suddenly, another nurse called for him. Someone wants to talk to him over the phone.

'Who is it?"

"A policeman from the patient's town."

Dr. House immediately got up to receive the call.

"Dr. House speaking."

"Hi doctor. This is Officer Martin. I have been to the patient's house earlier. And I can search it again. What exactly are you looking for?"

"Something unusual. Like dangerous drugs, some uncommon chemical and such."

The line went silent for a little while and then, "I'm sorry doctor. But that would take a little while. You see, his house is full of junk."

"Junk?" Dr. House asked in obvious disbelief.

"Yes. Like a mountain of it."

"Hmm. Have you seen rodents and other pests."

"Loads."

"Well, thank you Officer Martin. That was such a great help."

"What? That's all? You don't need to search anymore?"

"The information you gave was enough. Thank you. We'll call you again."

Dr. House rushed back to the patient's room and immediately ordered to administer IV Penicillin G and Ceftriaxone.

A resident asked him in bewilderment, "Leptospirosis?"

Dr. House replied with a smile, "He is a great hoarder."

Understanding dawned on the resident's face. No wonder.

A couple of weeks after, the patient was discharged from the hospital and was advised to see a psychologist. His house was cleaned by the local authorities as this might start a plague.

The patient started treatment and undergone therapies to reduce his hoarding tendencies.

And Dr. House is still seen working 24/7 in Plainsborough University Hospital.