A recent news article describes the current Large Surplus of Flu Vaccine now available to the public. This, of course, after most Americans were told to skip flu shots this season because of a shortage.
I got a flu shot last year, and no flu.
I skipped the shot this year -- couldn't even get one -- and I came down with the flu Monday.
There's never a good time during the semester for a professor to get sick, but I've got the first test this week in my introductory astronomy course. I've also got Spitzer Space Telescope proposals due on Feb. 12, novel revisions, and a half dozen other things. As usual. As I said, never a good time.
I'm optimistic. After getting sick Monday, and being sure it was the flu by that evening (I won't go into the painful details), I made an appointment to see the doctor on Tuesday. Or my wife did for me, since I was in bed (I love you, Leah).
It turns out that if you get treatment early, the flu isn't so bad. I'm taking something called Tamiflu that has had me feeling very functional after the first pill. I'll be able to lecture today, advising students to keep their distance I suppose, and get them ready for the exam. And I'll have enough brainpower to finish writing the exam, too.
Leah got herself a Tamiflu prescription as well. Apparently it can prevent you from getting the flu and is advisable to take if you're living with a sickie like me.
Posted by Mike at February 2, 2005 11:55 AM