by Leroy Coffie

Created on: September 22, 2010   Last Updated: September 24, 2010

The 2010 Flu bug is here. I live in Florida and this flu bug took me by surprise this year. I had to work at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers first home game at Raymond James Stadium on September 12th. It was ninety-three degrees outside and humid. In stands beer vendors served beer for about four hours in the heat. That night I was exhausted, but felt fine. The next three nights, I had to work the Tampa Bay Rays vs. The New York Yankees series at Tropicana Field. The first night, I was fine until after the ballgame.

I woke up at 4 AM Tuesday morning with a sore throat. I took medicine and went back to bed. I woke up at 6 AM with diarrhea. It was not a good morning.  I began to feel somewhat weak. I worked the Tuesday night game with no real problems. I was just tired. The Wednesday night game was different. I had trouble standing up and I had no energy. When the game was finished, I rushed home and fell into bed. The next morning I went to the doctor.

The doctor informed me there was a horrible virus/flu like going around. He prescribed me some medicine including Robitussin D with Codeine. He also told me not to work Thursday night and rest. I followed directions. The doctor actually told me not to work the next three days, but I am stubborn. The Robitussin D with Codeine brought up a ton of nasty phlegm from deep down in my chest. I coughed it up for four days straight. It was horrible.

Here are some symptoms of the flu:

1. Headache
2. Fatigue
3. Chills
4. Dry cough
5 . Aches and Pains
6. Runny or Stuffy nose
7. Sore Throat
8. Fever

Seven days later (with medicine) and I am still worn out. I feel somewhat better, but the flu has not left my system. A friend I work with was diagnosed with the flu yesterday. He was told to spend two to three days in bed. He can do that because he doesn’t have any children to run around. I am tired now like you get during the latter stages of the flu. I have no energy and my body still aches. The flu took me by surprise this year and it is a tough bug.

It would be smart for you to go out and get your flu shots early this year. I usually wait until October, but the flu arrived in Florida earlier than I am used to. Don’t get caught with this bug. It is worth the twenty to thirty bucks for you to get the flu shot. I spent thirty dollars on medicine (already) with good insurance. I also lost a day of work and have had to deal with this nasty bug. The flu is nothing to mess around with. The older you get, the harsher

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