Body 21 Aug 2010 05:54 pm
thank you, thank you science
For months on end I misheard that lyric in “Thank U” as “Thank you science,” which did seem appropriate for somebody who’d been on antibiotics. “About time somebody thanked science like that,” I thought. Oh well.
If you follow me on Facebook, you know that I’ve been having a colossally sore throat for about a week. It’s sore enough that I haven’t talked for a couple of days. Compared to this, mono was a walk in the park. It’s even been waking me up because it hurts to breathe. The usual home remedies are nearly powerless against it. I keep looking for signs of strep, but it keeps on looking viral. (Low fever, some conjunctivitis – basically I feel like I’ve been stuck head-down into a vat of toxic dust.)
At least it’s given me the opportunity to learn that “hot potato voice” is a medical term of art. No kidding.
If I gave this bug to you, I am very, very sorry. If you’ve seen me in the last ten days or so, please stay hydrated and eat your vegetables or do whatever it is you do to fend off a virus. But if that doesn’t work, you might be interested in this handy review article from 2000: How effective are treatments other than antibiotics for acute sore throat?
I react well to aspirin generally, so I’ve started using the aspirin+caffeine treatment, and while I’m still not about to try anything crazy like talking, I do feel a lot better. Thank you, science.
on 23 Aug 2010 at 4:17 pm 1.Savannah said …
I determined by accident that a beer sometimes soothes the throat. (I lose my voice almost once a year with certain common colds). I theorize it’s the hops. No clue. Could be happenstance; I’ve only tried it twice.
Most people tout the tea w/ whiskey and honey (which at least makes you not care) which perhaps you have already tried . . .