Just a Common Cold and Old Sayings

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On Saturday I had a headache. On Sunday too. Monday it continues, but too the migraine stage; so bad I totally collapse after work. Tuesday I do the same again. Wednesday I'm like death warmed up, wondering around work like a zombie; my throat is like the bottom of a cocky-cage. Thursday I'm at home, with head feeling like a member of the All Blacks has kicked it several times, now drinking fluids by the litre and forcing myself to sleep with mouthfuls of codeine. Friday I drag my sorry corpse to the doctor, who promptly perscribes a course of antibiotics, more painfillers and off work until next Wednesday. *sigh* Not the best way to start a new job, eh? This really is the sickest I've been since I caught dengue fever.

Trying to put a bright spin on it all, I am reminded of when a friend came around to visit looking very ill. "Whatever's wrong?" I inquired. "Oh, just a common cold", she responded. "It started on Monday but has gotten much worse. I've been following the old saying: feed a fever and starve a cold". "Ummm... I think you've that around the wrong way." Of course, it isn't so much feeding a cold that can defeat it, but by constantly refreshing one's liquids. Because a fever operates with a virus and a cold with a bacteria the old saying makes sense. However, I therefore hearby rename the old saying to the significantly more intuitive: "Starve a fever and drown a cold".

Comments

[jkahane.livejournal.com]

Hey, Lev, I know what you're talking about here. Came down with a nasty bug and have been fighting it ever since. A lot of the folks I know seem to have come down with this one, as well... It is a terrible, horrible season this year for the flu and all. I plan to have my flu shot as soon as I can, after I get over this virus or whatever it is.

Btw, the expression is "Feed a cold, starve a fever."