I can admit when I don`t look so hot. This is one such instance. |
You may have heard that flu season has come early this year and with a savage sort of wrath unseen in years. Of course what the mainstream media fails to say is just how many years. I may not know that answer, but I can tell you firsthand just how yucky the whole experience is.
It seems like the same week the news announced the flu epidemic, it swept through our neighborhood like a Zamboni at halftime. Initial infection rate was reported at 25% which quickly doubled to 50% and then climbed to 75% before leveling off. No two ways about it, 75% qualifies as an epidemic.
This isn't just your run-of-the-mill cold either. I've had those colds, they're no fun for sure, but full recovery rarely takes more than a couple days. The only confirmed case that has resulted in full recovery took eight days. Other cases still unresolved have been ongoing seven to nine days now with slow improvement.
This whole sickness experience is pretty new to me and I can't say I fully understand it. I do know I don't like it and I'm not sure why I'm being punished like this. For those of you who have never suffered a cold, let me share the symptomatic experience.
Runny nose: It's an odd faucet phenomenon, really. The darn thing just pours out constantly. Fortunately, your mouth is right beneath your nose, which can effectively catch the runoff.
Sneezes: Kind of hard to explain, but just wiggle in close to me and hang out about ten minutes. I'm sure you'll understand it once I show you a live demonstration all over your sleeve or face.
Coughing: Raspy squeaks frolic about the lungs as these uncontrollable spasms jolt your assorted sized bodies, smallish in my case.
Thick head: My head feels bigger and heavier than ever before, which says a lot on account of how heavy it's been to me historically. My face is achy and it's work to breathe sometimes. It's like I want to have my head lanced to relieve some of this pressure.
Lethargy: I would love to describe this in detail but I just don't have the energy right now.
Hyper Slumber Syndrome: I really excel at sleeping a lot. Amazingly, I was able to sleep so much more that neighborhood cats have reported jealousy. Makes it hard to do my job around here, but still feels so right.
While I've still not made a full recovery from this mess, I remain committed to bringing you the news. When it first struck there were already seven completed articles in the cue ready to publish. Sadly, that number has dwindled to zero. It's been hard to schedule photo shoots on account of tiredness and how sick I look, so if the articles seem a little bit forced, you can be in the know as to why.
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