Just wanted to let you guys know I haven’t abandoned you. Went to the doctor yesterday to see if my bout with what was probably the flu had left me with a sinus infection. It had. But it also HADN’T left!! Turns out, after ten days of misery, the flu virus…yes that very strain that’s in the news…is alive and well in my system, STILL. 😦 But I am now armed with serious medication. And I will take the dang stuff. I have a presentation to give in ten days, and I must be well!

I did learn something I want to share with you guys. If you get to the doctor immediately upon coming down with the flu, there IS something they can do, besides give you antibiotics, which don’t work on viral infections. Tamiflu can help you kick the flu, if you get to the doctor within the first 48 hours. After that, it’s pretty much a treat the symptoms and let it run its miserable course.

One way to know you have come down with the flu, as opposed to a bad cold, say, is by the rapid onset. I did know that, so I thought I had the flu from the start. I got sick in about 30 seconds. Seriously. I was sitting at my computer, working away, and I started to cough like crazy. Five days later, I hadn’t stopped, but had rapidly gone from the initial coughing spell to fever, in less than an hour. A cold usually builds more gradually over several days, starting with some sneezing, or a runny nose, perhaps, then gradually a scratchy throat or cough. Remember, the various symptoms build over a few days, instead of body-slamming you to the ground, instantly. Had I gone to the doctor within 48 hours of this train hitting me, I could be well now, instead of still running a fever and feeling terrible.

So. Lessons learned and shared with you. Take care of yourselves, folks. This is no fun! And remember…the best prevention is to wash your hands…at LEAST 167 times a day!! Go do it now! It might keep you well. 🙂

Now carry on, good folk! I’ll check in when I can.