Sick over the Holidays

creepy AI image (this was the version of telling it to be less creepy...)

Has Flu Season Changed After Corona?

Ever since Corona I have the feeling that the symptoms of getting a cold or the flu has changed quite dramatically. I used to just lie flat for several days with fever, limb pain and throat ache and the like. Then it got better and after a week or so I was back to 100%. But for the last few years this has changed to essentially being sick for weeks at a time without getting much better. While it doesn't seem so severe anymore (I don't get a lot of fever anymore), the symptoms have also changed a bit. Now I get nights where the throat ache is so severe that I can't swallow and sleeping therefore becomes impossible. Coughing can last for weeks and the sinuses are swollen which greatly impedes breathing through the nose.

Since I have heard this from many friends and colleagues I don't think I am the exception. It's now almost a month that I have had "a" cold; I think I got sick from at least two different types of strains. Why doesn't it end?

Herbal medicine

I am all for it. I use the honey, ginger (and even garlic) fermentation recipe, use teas of all kinds and the pills I swallow are mostly vitamins. The alternative would be to not do anything or swallow pain killers, but they can have some nasty side effects when taken for longer periods (I definitely take them for a day or so when things get too much though).

Or am I missing out on something? If you do have grandma's concoction, please feel free to share!

Paid sick leave

This is always a shock to people in the US, but it is quite common to get this in Europe. Just go to the doctor and receive a refund for the vacation day you took. Surprisingly I am not completely taking advantage of this since my employer is so forthcoming. I already feel that I don't work the full amount of time I have in my contract (with still getting everything done of course), so it seems only fair to me.

Conclusion

Being sick isn't great. It can be dreadful. I have noticed that the mind does adapt to this situation and little things like being able to drink a cup of tea without it hurting become thankful moments. This definitely adds to the appreciation of life in general, especially when one feels good and healthy.