By Staff
Jonathan Willis
I don't get sick often.
Many times, I'm the only one in my family and circle of friends that's able to avoid whatever the disease of the week may be.
I can't remember the last time I was violently ill. Well, until now.
For the last 192 hours – and I've counted every single one of them – I have felt about as bad as I can remember.
I've bumped into countless people in the last few weeks who have noted "something's going around."
Whatever that something is, it's not going around anymore. Like that uninvited Super Bowl party guest, it's set up camp at the Willis house.
More specifically, in the master bedroom on my side of the bed.
The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that influenza activity has been confirmed recently in several Alabama counties.
Whenever someone gets ill this time of year, everyone's quick to say it's the flu.
I'm not big on names. I just know I'm sick.
It's sort of like what's the difference in being run over by a Ford or a Chevy? It's no fun in either case.
Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer, says the incidence of influenza disease in Alabama usually peaks in the months of January and February, just as it does nationally.
However, just because it's April doesn't mean you're out of the woods yet. Influenza can occur any time between November and March. Only two days into April, I would imagine the flu would take advantage of every opportunity it has to strike you like the vicious animal that it is.
Despite my best efforts, I have so far been on the losing end of this battle.
In a war that has raged nearly 10 days, I'm shooting rubber bands at Scud Missiles. However, thanks to the nice people at Campbell's and Gatorade, I'm alive to fight another day.
When I win this fight, and I am physically able to return to work, I will gladly do so.
And for the scores of people who have undoubtedly left me voicemails and emails since I left work last Tuesday, I promise I'll return your calls just as soon as I'm able to shake my uninvited guest.