I had it two days before the flu shot signs went up in front of the local pharmacy stores.
It was the worst pain and headache I've experienced in a decade.
How did I get it? I don't know. But I knew instantly I had it when I walked down a set of stairs. I felt inflammatory pain in my spine that shot up to my brain with every step.
I walked over to Ralph's on PCH for medicine, looking and feeling like a hunched-back decrepit old man. Even Notre Dame couldn't relate.
My eyes hurt when I moved them from side to side as I shuffled gently along. All the over-the-counter meds I tried failed, but I still went back for more.
While in the store I noticed that there were two other people buying cold medication. The grocery workers were a little jittery as I told them of my plight, and then I mentioned the other people buying medication.
The next day the store had a huge bucket of sanitizing hand wipes sitting at its entrance, free to use. Flu season is officially here. Early.
And, according to the numbers, 23,607 deaths across the country are associated with influenza each year. But there are many preventive measures to avoid the disease, including staying away from me.
The Beach Cities Health District advises:
- Get vaccinated
- Wash your hands regularly
- Sneeze and cough into the crook of your arm
- Avoid touching your eyes, face and nose
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- When you're sick, stay at home and limit contact with others
Do you have any tips on how I can fight my flu symptoms? Tell us in the comments.
