My Experience with the H1N1 Flu So Far

Oak Tree on the Left
Originally uploaded by CaptPiper

So Monday and Tuesday, October 26th and 27th, I had a sinus headache most of the day.
Wednesday afternoon, I started feeling a sore throat.
The next morning, I called in sick and had to miss the Mann Teachers’ Conference in Detroit.
I was not coughing, but I had a very sore throat and felt tired.
We canceled my birthday party Saturday night.
Sunday I didn't go to church.
Monday I called in sick again.
By this time the thing had moved into my chest and I was coughing relentlessly. My chest ached.
Wednesday I finally coughed up a lot of dark phlegm out of my lungs and figured I had finally turned the corner. I looked up the H1N1 virus on the internet. Every source said it was just like the regular flu, practically indistinguishable without the swab test. But they all mentioned fever, and I had no fever. None mentioned it lasting an unusually long time. This virus had now been accosting my system for over a week, longer than any other bout with illness I had ever had.
This morning, back to coughing and coughing.
I tried to force it. I got up and got dressed and went to school, but just couldn't deal with it. I got materials and plans together for the sub, and returned home.
My friends suggested I go to the doctor, just in case I had strep throat, but I figured she would tell me to drink fluids, get plenty of rest, and so forth... why bother?
But today I went to the doctor. She diagnosed it as probable H1N1. So at least I have a doctor's note. So now I can just relax and be sick. And I can stop worrying about whether or not I should get the vaccine. Unlikely.

A psychosis I have had since I was a child, no doubt developed at that time, is that I feel I have to prove I am sick; otherwise people will think I’m faking it, or exaggerating the symptoms, or that I’m a hypochondriac of some degree. A doctor’s note. Proof positive I am for real.