flu season is over, but you proved me wrong
No flu shot for me! For the last several years I have opted out of the flu shot. I mean how good are they anyway; after the fact the news tells us that the strains going around weren’t covered in the years flu shot. Fast forward to a couple of days ago: “I thought the flu season was over, but you proved me wrong”, the emergency room doctor said.
Yes, I have the flu! Influenza A to be exact. It has kicked my butt! I went to the ER early AM on Tuesday with a fever of 102 degrees. After a chest ex ray and a couple of swabs the influenza A tested positive. I already had a suspicion due to the body aches, fever, coughing…..
the emergency room
The staff at the hospital were great! They took very good care of me and made sure I was comfortable. I am so thankful for that. They ran an IV of saline solution to rehydrate my body and get rid of the body aches. Even though I had been drinking a lot of fluids it must not have been enough.
There was no waiting, I was given a bed right away. After vitals were logged the doc was in to see me telling me what the vitals said and that he would be sending me for x-rays while waiting for swab results to come back. I’m so tired. So, week. So achy, particularly my head, it was throbbing.
The doc said that the x-rays came back looking good. The swab for strep throat came back negative. Then he said: “I thought flu season was over, but you have proved me wrong. You tested positive for influenza A”.
“How are you doing? Alright?”
My head was throbbing, and I needed it to stop. The nurse said he would get something for my headache. They made me completely comfortable. It didn’t seem like long at all and I was back out the door heading home; scripts in hand, mask over my mouth, and copies of all the tests that they ran.
It hung on for several days
I could not shake the ill effects of the flu. It lasted all week, and even when trying to go back to work the next, it was difficult to get my stamina back. No lung capacity, no energy, miserable. I am so grateful that my job worked with me, not giving me laborious duties.
I’m three weeks past the illness now and still not 100% but slowing working my way back, I hope. Will I get a flu shot next year? Probably not.