Florida Winter is Dangerous, Too

[Decorated_Dust]

Okay, a majority of this post will be me venting over being sick on Christmas, but I hope there is a cautionary tale in there somewhere. Frankly, there are much worse things that could have happened than me coming down with an throat infection, so it should not be a huge deal. However, I have been given antibiotics for an infection I thought I had gotten over in May, so I should be getting better soon.

I had to stay home in bed while my family went and had Christmas dinner, which made it feel just like any other day. My Auntie, whose b-day was today, almost had to cancel her dinner at Buca di Beppo because of my infirmity. I did end up going, but I didn't share in the cake.

This all started because I was stubborn and didn't bundle up as much as I should have when my mom and I had a little bit of bonding time in St. Augustine. It was very cold (40s and 50s) and we spent a majority of our time outside. Not only did the cold make my allergies flair up, but it awoke a dormant sickness that not even Colorado snow could poke at. I guess I had some idea that because sickness isn't caused by cold, that I don't have to worry. I also thought I got tough because of the cold I experienced while in Colorado. Wrong!

Cold weakens the immune system, so I caught the first thing that it my nose. Since I'm planning on going on a trip with my friends and getting my wisdom teeth out very soon, I'm hoping this blows over. However, I just wanted to extend a little warning to those Floridians (or anyone) out there going to Disney: BUNDLE UP!!! I saw people in jeans and a T-shirt in St. Augustine, as well as a family swimming at our hotel. Even if this is warmer than what you're used to, it's still cold. I don't care what the Northerners say.

The moral of my sad tale: bring Echinacea, hot cocoa, and warm clothes. I hear people talking about the heat so much that they forget about the cold. It's cold and flu season, even down here. The Norwalk virus that could be in the World is also something to take into consideration. The cold could be making that easier to get. Don't just bring hand sanitizer, bring a jacket!! The end.

 

[debbieandroo]

I'm sorry you have been sick - and thanks for the heads-up. I'll be experiencing a Florida winter pretty soon.

 

[lugnut33]

I didn't think you could get a cold/virus from being cold?

Hope you feel better pronto.

 

[Decorated_Dust]

I didn't think you could get a cold/virus from being cold?

Hope you feel better pronto.

Well, technically you can't, but being cold weakens your immune system, so you're more susceptible to getting sick. Say, if you're in Disney with a thousand and one germ-covered surfaces, it's much more likely you'll be stricken ill from it. This is something people tend to forget, I've noticed. I mean, your mom tells you to bundle up so you don't catch cold, but not so much anymore.

Thanks for the well-wishes. Like I said, it could be worse, so I'm not complaining. It was just the timing that bummed me out.