*distant Screeching

They also come in ginger:

DO. FUCKING. NOT.

As a nurse, particularly one who works the unit of my hospital that takes Influenza patients, I feel it’s my duty to get this out there to everyone I can.  The Influenza vaccine never covers ALL strains; this year there is one that seems to have morphed beyond the vaccine coverage.  It hits HARD, guys.  I had it and was down for two weeks.  This was crawling to my bathroom to pee fatigued and breathing through congestion in my head and chest that choked me.  

PLEASE: IF YOU ARE SICK STAY HOME, WASH YOUR HANDS, COVER YOUR COUGH, STAY HYDRATED, AND REST.  

Influenza doesn’t respond to antibiotics because it’s a virus, but there is a medication that doctors can prescribe to help lessen the symptoms.  Remember, Influenza is a RESPIRATORY illness, but symptoms can include nausea and diarrhea.  If you have nausea and diarrhea alone, that’s another virus that people call the “stomach flu” called Norovirus/Gastroenteritis, which is also ridiculously contagious and should keep you at home as well.

Here’s the CDC’s information on Influenza, including symptoms, course of illness, and how to manage.  This virus is particularly threatening to small children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.  I’ve had three patients die from Influenza in the last two weeks.  It’s serious guys.