If

This doesn't make a lot of sense as is.

Did they? Did they not? Doesn't the person writing this know?

If careful examination HAD revealed... the doctors WOULD HAVE recommended. -- That would work to show what would have happened in other circumstances, but did not.

WHEN examination revealed the doctors recommended -- That would work if it did happen.

GG, even with this context, you don't think it makes sense?

We went deep into the jungle throughout which the deadly virus was said to be widespread. It was also said that it was very rare to notice any symptoms even several days after the infection was transmitted. If careful examination revealed that we had been infected by the virus, doctors recommended that we be sent to the spe

I see. "We" were to examine ourselves.

Before we left, the doctors recommended that we be sent to the specialized hospital, if it appeared we had the virus.

I always find it helpful to use a simpler example:
I recommend he not open the door if a stranger rings the bell.
If a stranger rang the bell, I recommended he not open the door.

The subjunctive part is "reco

OK, let me confirm. So these parts of your examples are NOT the subjunctive, but it's about the actual past, right?

if it appeared
If a stranger rang

You know labellig is not my strong point.
If it had appeared
If a stranger had hung
Both of those sound more natural to me than the choice of the simple past.

You'll need a better grammarian than I to answer more details. I care about writing naturally, not labelling.

TakaOK, let me confirm. So these parts of your examples are NOT the subjunctive, but it's about the actual past, right?
if it appeared
If a stranger rang

No, they have no relation to the subjunctive mood, and although the past tense is used, the sentences are actually describing an unreal occurrence in the future.

Aspara Gus although the past tense is used, the sentences are actually describing an unreal occurrence in the future.Before we left, the doctors recommended that we be sent to the specialized hospital, if it appeared we had the virus.If a stranger rang the bell, I recommended he not open the door.

The future from a certain point of the past, right?

Grammar Geek I care about writing naturally, not labelling.

Yes, you are a professional writer. I know that.

Then, let me ask this (I suppose this is the final question).

Do these work as English?

If it appeared we had the virus, we be sent to the specialized hospital.
If a stranger rang the bell, he not open the door.

TakaThe future from a certain point of the past, right?

Yes.

Aspara Gus TakaThe future from a certain point of the past, right?Yes.

And it's not counter factual, or is it?