It’s that time of year. Bug after bug is striking down typically healthy people, moving through families, making friends at social gatherings. One sneezed-on hand touching a doorknob at a public place can share widespread love.
When it comes to the type of illness there’s no end to the possibilities. People are suffering from stomach ailments, sore throats, stuffy noses and flu bugs, complete with muscle aches and raging temperatures.
Two of our little grandchildren last week were a mess. Big sister started the fun with every symptom imaginable before her brother ended up with an ear infection and croup. Grandma put herself in the line of fire to go help out their working mom and celebrated at the end of the incubation period that she seemed to have avoided the nasty sickness which had infiltrated their home.
The universe, however, had other ideas for me. Nothing too serious, but two days after I felt safe it seems I’m sick. I couldn’t avoid the January germs floating around me from unknown sources, and have caught a teeny-tiny, though still miserable, cold. Add to that the issue of spasms that have laid claim to my lower back and I’m feeling just a little less than stellar.
Hubby too is going through some issues, with a torn rotator cuff and old back woes adding insult to injury. We make quite an attractive pair at the moment.
Health is something people generally take for granted when things are going well. We sail along through carefree painless days, often with no acknowledgement that things can change. When all is well we cruise through the years without any time spent in a doctor’s office or in the hospital, feeling so terrific we forget that a regular check-up is a good idea even when nothing appears to be wrong.
There are many alternative options for treating heath issues these days, which will often curtail any unnecessary appointments with a physician too. Having watched the lives of too many people dictated by the prescription medications they took, I vowed a long time ago to avoid the cycle for as long as possible. This is not to say that medications don’t have their purpose; it’s just that they will always be a last resort for me.
There’s little doubt during this cold and flu season that folks are taking advantage of our healthcare system and everything it has to offer. Doctor’s offices are full of sneezing, coughing, fevered folks. Nurses are delivering their special brand of TLC, listening patiently to complaints, and acting as liaison between physician and patient. Pharmacies are filling prescriptions and advising on the best over-the-counter remedies for customer’s complaints.
It seemed timely given the season of viruses and bugs that I share some of the amazing healthcare photos available from iPHOTOS.com
