Influenza Journey

Today is Day 6 of my Influenza Journey and here is my attempt to recap the first few days.

It started on Friday morning with a slight uncomfortable scratching sensation in my throat. I figured it was the dry air in the apartment or simply dehydration. The heating in our apartment has been cranked up to "Tropics" mode, which is about 26 degrees Celsius. So when we step outside and it's like 5 degrees, it's a slap to the face each time.

I remember as i walked my 5 year old to Kindergarten, i felt every gust of wind rip through my numerous layers of clothing, thick scarf and jacket. Upon reaching home, i took my temperature and it was 37.7 degrees Celsius.

I had taken my temperature in my armpit, at which point, my better half told me it was better to place the thermometer under my tongue for a better reading. And yes, i did wash and sterilize it before i put it back in my mouth. And lo and behold, the temperature jumped up a whole degree and was actually 38.9 degrees Celsius.

No wonder i felt like crap.

I remember wrapping myself with my covers like a burrito and hoping my body would generate enough heat. But it was as if my matches were wet and i couldn't get the fire started. I was freezing.

By the evening, my temperature hovered around 39 degrees Celsius. And that's when the coughing started. It was a deep cough. Each time i coughed, it felt as if my lungs rattled. Like a mosh pit, i pictured both my lungs run into each other from either side of my body cavity at high speed. And bounce off one another.

Perhaps i was starting to become delusional.

I covered my head with my two duvets and it didn't take long for me fall asleep in my hole.

Day 2

It's 5:30 am and i measure my temperature. It says, 39.9 degrees Celsius. I write a message to my colleague to say, that i'm planned in to work at 11 am. I had already informed my boss the night before that i was sick and had a fever but was told that there are nobody to replace my shift. And he apologizes. So i reluctantly agree to come and do my shift. Despite feeling like a truck had just run me over.

My colleague sends me a simple Whatsapp response, "Ach du Scheiße". Which directly translates to, "Oh shit".

By 7:45 am, my temperature has reached it's all time high, 40.1 degrees Celsius. I debate with myself whether i should stay at home but start to panic because i had already told my boss, i would work. I can barely keep my eyes open, let alone comprehend the situation.

I start to cry.

I send him a message, along with a photo of my temperature reading.

No reply.

I eventually get a hold of my boss and speak to him directly. I tell him my situation and say i'm not fit to go to work.

He agrees.

And he doesn't sound pissed off. In fact, sounds totally OK with it all.

Paranoid that i was going to be fired, the feeling suddenly diminishes as i swallow an Ibruprofen and wait for it to do its' magic.

I lie back down and within seconds fall right back to sleep. I drift in and out of consciousness, by mid afternoon i am covered in sweat. At last, my fever has broke (one of many that day).

Day 3

Eventually, i peel myself off my high-bed and force myself to shower. As i stand there, i imagine the virus clinging to dear life to the soapsuds that washes passed my feet and as they scream for help, i watch motionless as they make an escape down the drain.