h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So I've been sick for the last several days with a flu. I feel much better now, but at the worst I had a fever of 102°f/39°c. I haven't had a fever like that in 40 years. I was thinking while I was sick, about how I used to play sick to stay home from school. I'd take my temperature in the bathroom. I'd run the thermometer under hot water to get it to register a fever. I was often "sick" on days when oral reports, or papers were due, or very occasionally on test days. I hated oral reports, I didn't like papers, but I actually liked tests. They were easy to prepare for, for me anyway. I can't believe my mom fell for this trick as often as she did. I know she did take me to the doctor once when I was younger and he said there wasn't anything wrong with me and that I probably just didn't want to go to school. Busted! But I don't remember there being any follow up on that.

Now I've been recommended antihistamines to help with the flu I had, but I misunderstood the directions and took an extra pill each day I was on them. Now I am uncomfortable with a very dry mouth. Also the tops of my feet and ankles itch terribly tonight. I don't know if that's a side effect of taking too much antihistamine. I could't find any reference to it being a side effect by googling it. I slathered my feet and ankles with a steroid cream. It's helped some, but there's still a lot of itching. I don't know how I'll sleep.

Get well soon!

[Amy P]

I sympathise, I've had a lousy cough, cold, sore throat and croaky voice for the last week & a half. No temperature, though, which is what usually makes me feel thoroughly awful.

According to the website for the UK National Health Service, a dry mouth is a common side-effect of antihistimines, and itchy skin a less common one. Perhaps now you know the correct dose you'll feel a bit better. Get well soon.

Deb