Earlier this week, I speculated that I had fallen victim to the plague.  Today I went to the doctor, and I discovered my situation may be more dire.  I have Influenza A.

Influenza A is the root of all evil.

 Seriously. 

According to Wikipedia, Influenza A is the branch of flu that produced the Avian Flu, amongst its variously deadly strands.  Most notably, a strand of Influenza A known as Spanish Flu ran rampant worldwide 1918.  In the first 6 months of the Spanish Flu, 25 million were killed.  Most recent estimates say that 20% of the world's population suffered some form of the disease, with a total of 50 to 100 million casualties.   Many researchers think that Spanish Flu - a strand of my Influenza A - may have killed as many or more people than the Black Plague. 

Ultimately I wasn't far off the mark.  While I may have guessed that I suffered from the Plague, I actually contracted something much more dangerous.  I'm secretly impressed with myself. 

During my conversation with Dr. Baker today, I learned that Influenza A - as found in the Spanish Flu and other strands - was not the cause of death in most cases. The inflammation and additional symptoms generally cause the development of secondary infections. Baker explained that medical researchers dug up the corpses from the Spanish Flu and found that most people did have pneumonia.  Naturally, this was of grave concern in my case.

Hyperbole aside, I  have a history of severe, if not life threatening, asthma.  Thus, Dr. Baker took decisive action and prescribed me a steroid inhaler for my asthma and a preventative antibiotic so that I would not develop pneumonia.  He also suggested I should stay home for the rest of the week. 

I am now spending my third day in my pajamas.  I can expect to feel flu symptoms for up to 3 weeks more, and will suffer from aches and pains, as well as general fatigue.    Fascinating!

I'm very glad that I decided to go to the doctor.  Generally speaking, I avoid doctors.  I find that medical professionals in general weird me out.  Consider Urologists.  What sort of person would go to university for ten years to study the process of urination?  Although, I must say that in many cases we should all be thankful that someone cares enough about that particular part of our bodies.  But I digress!  I like going to the walk-in clinic by our house.  It's convenient and the doctors never try to poke and prod you for anything other than the immediate symptoms that are presenting themselves.  The doctors are all very friendly, and Dr. Baker seems to be a kindred spirit.  After all, he is fascinated by digging up corpses and discovering traces of pneumonia, too. 

(I should interject that at this point, I'm staring blankly at the screen, attempting to remember where on earth I was going with all this...)

Now that I have my drugs, I'm confident that I will make a good recovery, although it might take some time.  I suppose the time spent resting in my pajamas is really a gift.  After all, I can study, I can write papers, I can watch Disney Films, I can be spoiled rotten by my mother...  While Influenza A is hardly enjoyable, every cloud does have its silver lining. 

(Since I still can't remember where on earth I was going with any of this, I think I'll conclude now and bow out gracefully.  I may write more after finishing my anthropology papers.)