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The Sick Sense

We're at threat-level orange, at significant risk of attacks.

By GERMS.

I've Lysol'ed. I've Purell'ed. I've quarantined my husband to bed in a room on the other side of the house from where I'm sleeping.

And Henry and I are holding our breaths, or at least breathing cautiously, hoping that whatever flulike creature is attacking Tim does not find either of us the least bit attractive.

I see that nearly the entire country has been hit by what public health folks have deemed "widespread outbreaks" of this virus, which manifests itself with sudden onset of chills, aches and high fever. From what I've heard, even if you got a flu vaccine, it may not be effective for this particular strain. Hence, avoiding my beloved like the ever-loving plague.

Which of course brings me back to yesterday's post and more word fun. What colorful names were given to a whole host of illnesses back in the day. I've had to look most of them up.

Flux = Dysentery or severe diarhhea
Pox = Any of a number of viruses characterized by purulent skin eruptions that might leave pockmarks; it also can refer to syphilis
Ague = Any sort of fever marked by recurring chills, fever, and sweating; more commonly known as malaria
Consumption = Tuberculosis
The Clap = Yes. It's another name for the STD gonorhhea. But for you trivia nuts: the origin may be from the old French word "clapier" for brothel.
Apoplexy = Old-fashioned medical term, which can be used to mean 'bleeding' but derives from the Greek word for "seizure" and was used as a synonym for "stroke."
Dropsy = Swelling of soft tissues due to excessive water accumulation
Griping in the Guts = Now we'd call it gastroenteritis; then, it might have been used interchangeably with typhoid fever, cholera morbus, flux, or colic.

All I can say is, thank goodness for 2008. And running water and indoor plumbing and toilet paper and antibiotics and safer sex and antibacterial lotions and potions and public health education programs.

And vaccines. Even if they don't always touch the viral strain you contract.

Excuse me while I go wash my hands. With antibacterial soap that enables creation of stronger, more-drug-resistant bugs.

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