My name is Mary, and I recently had a scary experience with the flu. It all started shortly after I received my flu shot. While I wasn’t completely convinced it was necessary since most of the people I know don’t get them, I figured it couldn’t hurt to get the extra protection. Little did I know that would be the start of a miserable few weeks.
Starting the weekend after I got the shot, I began to feel extremely weak and tired. I figured it was just because I was exhausted from a long week of work, but my feeling of fatigue only got worse and more intense as the days went by. I chalked it up to the stress of the holidays approaching and thought I just needed to take a break.
That Monday, my symptoms had worsened to the point where I was having trouble breathing. My chest felt like it was constricted, and I was having coughing fits so intense, I almost vomited. As my symptoms persisted, I started to worry that it might be something more serious. I made an appointment with my doctor, where I was diagnosed with influenza.
Inoculation:
The best thing I could have done for myself was get the flu shot in the first place. While it is common for people to contract the flu even if they get the vaccine, the shot does significantly reduce the severity of the illness if you do get it. I’m so glad I did the responsible thing and protected myself in advance.
Symptoms:
The most concerning symptoms I had when I contracted the flu were the coughing fits and the difficulty breathing. I also had severe chills, body aches, a headache, and a high fever. It was a miserable experience and I was so thankful when the worst of the symptoms passed.
Treatment:
My doctor prescribed me a course of antiviral medication, as well as a few days off work to rest and recover. I followed my doctor’s instructions and made sure to drink plenty of fluids and get ample rest. Thankfully, after about a week I was starting to feel better and was eventually able to return to my normal routine.
This experience with influenza was an eye-opening one for me. It was a reminder to always take my health seriously and to take the necessary precautions to protect myself, such as getting the flu shot and seeing a doctor if I experience concerning symptoms.