<p><span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://mastodon.social/@whitequark" class="u-url mention">@<span>whitequark</span></a></span> still not sure what I got or how, or if it was even all the same bug.</p><p>Started out 2ish weeks ago, last day or so of on site work with a customer, with neck pain when I looked sideways. Blamed this on the too-soft hotel pillows which I had had happen before (I usually use a firmer pillow at home). Spent most of the following weekend in bed but wasn't sure if I was sick or if it was just catching up on sleep deprivation from forcing myself into 9-5 work hours while at the customer despite my general lack of a circadian rhythm.</p><p>Went to a local urgent care mostly to see if it was anything serious/contagious enough that I should cancel my conference travel. PCR negative for covid, flu A, flu B. Started feeling better over the next few days and by the time I left for the trip felt fine.</p><p>Throat was a bit scratchy on the flight but I blamed it on the dry plane air. By the time I got to my hotel I had been traveling for like 30 hours but had only managed to sleep <1h on the flight so I passed out and slept most of the following day.</p><p>Over the next few days what had been a small tickle in the throat turned into "I have to brace myself before swallowing every little bit of saliva in my mouth and still involuntarily recoil from the pain" and the morning of my flight home I woke up with pressure and pain in my right ear too. By this point it was obviously some kind of infection but I didn't want to delay my return flight to seek medical treatment in a foreign country rather than going home and seeing my usual doctor. Was wearing a N95 anyway so wasn't worried about spreading whatever I had.</p><p>Return trip was hell, the cabin pressure changes were very unpleasant due to both the ear infection and the pain of swallowing to equalize pressure.</p><p>Got home late, slept until the doctor opened. PCR negative for strep, ear and throat showed obvious signs of infection. Doc pumped me full of cephalosporins and it seems to be wiping the bug out.</p>
