#and then low grade nausea most of the day

[fireladybuckley]

If the antibiotics I’m on could stop waging war on my digestive system, that’d be great >.>

[ereardon]

Before I Knew [Jake Seresin x Reader] Chapter Six

A Jake Seresin unexpected pregnancy fic

Overview: On your first night after moving to San Diego to spend more time with your brother Bob, you unknowingly have a one night stand with his teammate Jake Seresin. For the first time in his whole life, Bob has a closely knit friend group and you’re desperate not to rock the boat. But an unexpected and unplanned pregnancy upends your world, forcing you and Jake closer together, against Bob’s wishes. What will happen when you find yourself actually falling for the father of your unborn child? 

Pairing: Jake Seresin x Reader; Bob Floyd x Sister!Reader 

Warnings: Pregnancy, cursing, eventual smut, angst

Chapter summary: Ducky goes to her first doctor's appointment; Bob and Jake fight it out; Jake makes a staggering proposal

WC: 2K

Masterlist here; previous chapter here

You caught the bus a few blocks from the library and rode it across town to the doctor’s office. Waited in the front area with all the other women in various stages of pregnancy. Your heart sank as you watched woman after woman file in with a partner at her side or a friend. 

You felt utterly alone as they called your name and you stood up alone. 

The sonographer pushed off of her stool and smiled. “The doctor will be in soon.” 

You nodded, laying back against the paper-coated exam table. When the doctor entered, she smiled softly. “Hi there, I’m Dr. Whitman.” She took a seat on the stool. “Let’s take a look here.” She pulled up the sonogram charts. “Everything looks good. You’re measuring at eight weeks and three days. How do you feel?” 

“Nauseous,” you replied. “Tired.” 

She smiled. “That’s par for the course, unfortunately. The second trimester gets better for most patients.” 

“Thank God.” 

The doctor clicked off the screen and folded her hands in her lap. “Y/N,” she said softly. “A core part of a pregnancy is a support system. Are you married?” 

You shook your head. “No.” 

“Do you have a boyfriend or family to lean on?” 

“It’s complicated,” you whispered. 

“I understand.” There was something so soothing about her. “But I also know that what many people don’t realize is that a core part of a healthy pregnancy is having people to lean on. Stress is not good for the baby.” 

“I barely know the father,” you replied. “And I’ve been staying with my brother. But he’s not happy about all of this.” 

The doctor nodded. “No pregnancy is easy to plan for,” she replied. “But keeping your stress levels low is critical, especially during this first trimester. Do you have any friends who can help support you?” 

You thought of Phoenix. So far she was the only one who seemed to want to help. You nodded. “Yeah, I think so.” 

“Good.” The doctor scribbled on a pad. “I’m going to write you a prescription for an anti-nausea medication. Take it once a day for at least a week to see if it helps.” She ripped it off and then handed you the sonogram. “And here’s a photo of your baby.” 

You held the black and white photo in both hands, choking on air. For perhaps the first time, it dawned on you. 

You were going to be a mother. 

***

“Fucking shit, Floyd, what the hell was that?” Jake whipped off his helmet the moment they stepped foot on the tarmac. 

Bob grunted and turned to storm away. Phoenix put one hand on his arm and he shrugged her off. She looked at Jake and raised her eyebrows. “Above my pay grade.” 

“He’s your back seater, Natasha,” Jake said and Phoenix’s lips pressed into a fine line. Jake only called her by her first name when things were serious. 

“He has his own mind,” she hissed back. “I can’t help it that you knocked up his sister.” 

Jake’s green eyes went wide with anger. Bradley stepped between them, trying to diffuse the attention. “Alright, hold on. Let’s just take a step back here before we say things we don’t mean.” 

“I meant it when I said you only think about yourself,” Phoenix said. Her words landed on Jake with a solid delivery. It had been three years, but their last fight still stung. 

Jake shook his head, heading toward the locker room where Bob had disappeared. Behind him, Bradley held both of Phoenix’s arms, keeping her back, his whispers blending into the whirring background noise of jets landing on the tarmac. “Floyd!” Jake’s voice rang out in the empty changing room. He was quiet for a moment before a clang caught his attention, the sound of a locker door slamming. He moved further down the halfway, rounding the corner where Bob stood wearing a black t-shirt and a pair of jeans, a frown laced over his delicate face. “Floyd, listen–”

“I pretty much raised her,” Bob interrupted. Jake frowned, but stayed silent as Bob laced his shoes, refusing to make eye contact. “Our dad left. Our mom worked all the time to put food on the table. So that left taking care of Y/N to me. And I did it, because I loved her. I did it because I wanted what was best for her.” He looked up, blue eyes hollow against sullen skin. “And now you’ve shown up and ruined everything.” 

“I didn’t know she was your sister,” Jake said. “And we didn’t mean for her to get pregnant. It just happened.” 

“But it happened to her!” Bob shouted and Jake took a step back. There was something unhinged about angry Bob. So different from the wallflower that he had always been. You were the one thing that he cared enough about to pick fights over. “You happened to her. You ruined her fucking life, Hangman.” 

“But that’s just it, isn’t it?” Jake said. “It’s her life, Floyd. Not yours. It’s hers. You’re acting like I did this to you as a personal attack.” 

“She was just starting to get her footing,” Bob said quietly. “And you took that away from her. You took away her future. Everything she worked so hard for. Everything we both worked so hard for. To get out of Chattanooga. To not end up like the rest of them.” 

Jake sighed. “So that’s what this is about, isn’t it,” he said. “It’s not about me. And it’s not even really about Y/N. It’s about you.” 

Bob squinted. “What?” 

“You’re mad because you think this foils all of your plans, all of your work, everything you did to get the two of you out of that small town life.” 

“She deserves better.” 

“I agree.” Jake shook his head. “Listen, man, I’m not going anywhere. This might not have been what I expected. Hell, it might not even be what I want. But it’s where we are. I’m not going to leave her alone in all of this.” 

“She isn’t alone,” Bob said. “She has me.” 

“Does she?” 

***

A little girl set a pile of library books on the counter in front of you. She was barely tall enough to reach, her thin arms struggling beneath the weight of the books. “Hi,” she chirped.

You turned and smiled. She had big ears and a wide, uneven grin. “Hi there,” you said, scanning the first book. “Wow, you scored big.” 

“I like bugs,” she explained and you slowly noticed every single book was about snakes or bugs. You could feel bile creep up your throat as you nodded. 

“That’s nice.” 

“Do you like bugs?” 

“Not really.” 

She frowned. “That’s too bad. Do you like puppies?” 

“Yeah, puppies are better.” You finished scanning her books. “Do you need a bag?” 

She shook her head. “No, my mommy is over there.” She pointed at a pregnant woman standing next to the door looking at her phone. The little girl cocked her head to the side. “You look like her.” 

“Really?” You squinted. The woman by the door was taller, with different hair. “How so?” 

“You’re going to be a mommy,” the little girl said. “All mommys look like that.” And then she grabbed her books and jogged off toward the door. You had to practically pick your jaw up from the ground, hands dropping to your barely visible bump. How had she known? Then again, kids were like animals. Sometimes they knew things. You watched the little girl hand the books to her mom, who slid them into a tote bag before grabbing her hand tightly. 

Something stirred inside of you. It was too soon to be the baby, realistically you knew that. But somewhere, deep down, you knew it was the baby making their presence known. 

“Hi there,” you whispered, one hand over your belly button. 

***

It was late. You were asleep on the couch when the door opened. You opened your eyes wide, watching as Jake and Bradley dragged a barely coherent Bob through the door. You stood up, wiping at your eyes. “What the hell?” 

“He’s wasted,” Bradley said. “We tried but we couldn’t stop him.” 

You put your hands on your hips, turning to Jake. “Did you do this?” 

“I’m so tired of everyone blaming me,” he replied. 

“I’m sorry,” you whispered. 

Bradley cocked his head. “Here, let me take him.” Easily, he slung Bob over one of his shoulders, carrying him straight into the bedroom. You dragged your hand over your face, turning to Jake. 

“What’s going on with him?” 

“I was going to ask you the same thing,” Jake replied, looking at his feet. “He and I, we uh, we had a fight.” 

“About what?” 

He lifted his gaze to yours. “You know what.” 

“Oh. That.” 

Jake nodded as Bradley stepped back into the living room. He looked at you, and then Jake. “I'm going to head out.” 

“Thanks for bringing him back.” 

“Any time.” Bradley paused by the door. “Hey Y/N?” 

“Yeah?” 

“Be patient with him. He’s still processing.” The door shut softly. 

“He heard me say that I hate him,” you whispered, moving back onto the couch, curling into a ball. Jake followed, sitting on the other end of the couch, a safe distance away. “Maybe he hates me, too.” 

“He doesn’t hate you,” Jake replied. “He wouldn’t act like this if he didn’t love you.” 

“Then why is he hurting me?” you whispered, a tear slipping down your cheek. 

“Because he’s hurt, too,” Jake said. “And it’s easier to be mad.” 

You tipped your head to one side. “That night we met. You had no idea I was Bob’s sister?” 

“Fuck no,” Jake replied and you smirked. He shook his head. “You’re gorgeous, but I never would have looked at you, let alone did what we did if I had known.” 

“So it wasn’t some ploy to get back at him for whatever the hell you two have beef about?” 

“This has become a lot bigger than I ever imagined.” 

You sighed. “I’m sorry I wasn’t a cool girl you met in a bar and had sex with and never saw again. I’m sorry I’m ruining your whole life.” 

“Maybe it’s not so bad,” Jake whispered and you looked up, surprised. “Maybe I needed something to change.” 

“So you’re not upset?” 

“I’m upset,” Jake clarified. “This isn’t at all what I expected. But it’s done, right?” he asked. “We just have to deal with the consequences.” 

“How romantic.” 

“Fuck.” He leaned back. “Shit, I, I didn’t mean it like that.” 

You shook your head. “It’s OK, it was a joke.” 

“But is that what you want?” he said quietly. “Something romantic?” 

“No. I don’t know.” You pulled your hair back into a loose bun, fighting for words. “I don’t know what I want. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I don’t know anything.” 

“Are you happy here?” 

You frowned. “What do you mean here?” 

“Staying with Bob.” 

“He’s my brother.” 

“I know, Y/N.” Jake rolled his eyes. “That’s why we’re in this lovely predicament. I’m asking if you feel safe here.” 

“Bob would never hurt me.” 

“I think he already has.” Jake’s words stung and you realized for the first time that hurt was much more than just physical. “I was thinking. There’s an apartment across the hall from mine. It’s two bedrooms.” 

“Are you asking me to move in with you?” You practically scoffed. 

Jake shrugged. “Why not? At least for now. Until he cools down.” 

“That’ll only make him angrier.” 

“I don’t give a shit about what makes Floyd happy,” Jake said. “I care about what’s best for you.” 

“Do you actually?” you pressed. “Or is that just what you think you’re supposed to say and feel and do? Take away all of the outside voices and opinions. What do you, Jake Seresin, want?” 

He was quiet for a moment. Then, in the smallest voice you had ever heard, he replied, “To be a good dad. To do the right thing.” 

You nodded. “OK. I’ll move in with you.” You looked up into his clear green eyes. For the first time in weeks, you felt hopeful.

Please follow my library page @ereardonlibrary as that will largely serve as my tag list. Anyone I previous promised to tag is here:

@bobfloydsbabe @blue-aconite @wkndwlff @mamachasesmayhem @mandylove1000 @djs8891 @clancycucumber230 @rosiahills22 @buckysteveloki-me  @kmc1989 @gigisimsonmars @eloquentdreamer @mjisbby @shanimallina87 @seresinslady @seresinhangmanjake @blackwidownat2814 @yanna-banana @bbyvanessaa  @mrsjobarnes @midnightmagpiemama @ingoaliesitrust @rockbottomphilosophies-blog @iangiemae @joaquinwhorres @boiolay @sometimesanalice @spinning-away @mycobrakai1972 @xomrsalliej4787xo @na-ta-sh-aa

[3liza]

really think the vast amount of evidence we have for common herpes viruses causing a shitload of population morbidity is under investigated and definitely under treated.

to clarify, herpes is a big class of viruses that includes HSV1 (usually cold sores on your mouth), HSV2 (usually sores on your genitals), and herpes zoster (chicken pox!). HSV1 and 2 can infect any tissue and can be spread through casual contact, not just sexual contact. the majority of the human population will contract one or both if they live long enough. many people get HSV1 or 2 at birth or through postnatal contact with parents, family, or visiting adults. just holding or kissing a baby is enough contact to transmit herpes viruses.

so what happens is almost everyone gets these viruses and most people deal with it without catastrophic problems, but the evidence is building up that it may be responsible for a lot of illness that wasn't previously suspected. for example:

Report of a Case A woman aged 33 years presented with a 4-day history of intractable headache, photophobia, nausea, and neck and back discomfort. She had 3 previous hospital admissions for a similar disorder, the first and most severe of which occurred concomitantly with her initial outbreak of genital herpes. Results of her examination were remarkable for a low-grade fever and stiff neck. A contrast-enhanced MRI of the brain yielded normal findings. Results of CSF analysis showed a white blood cell count of 56/μL (90% lymphocytes), a protein level of 66 mg/dL, and a glucose level of 54 mg/dL. Results of PCR were positive for HSV-2. Her symptoms resolved shortly after treatment with intravenous acyclovir, and no further episodes were observed during a suppressive regimen of daily acyclovir in the ensuing 3 years.

that's just a bad migraine. i know dozens of people who have gone to the ER with identical symptoms and were given rescue meds and sent home. the only reason they found anything weird here is the spinal tap and PCR which is not standard procedure for a migraine admission. so who knows how many other chronic migraine sufferers actually have mild encephalitis or meningitis from an HSV infection.

[soaps-mohawk]

Hello, I was rereading your story and was wondering if you could expand upon the heat sickness you mentioned.

Yes!! I absolutely can!!

So heat sickness is a viral illness that can affect omegas at any time in their lives, though younger omegas are more prone to it than older omegas. Alphas and betas don't get sick from heat sickness, but they can become contaminated and pass it on to an omega easily. (Just like how viruses and bacterial infections work in our world.)

The severity of heat sickness can vary omega to omega depending on things like the particular strain the omega is infected with, their age, how exposed they were to the virus, and just their overall health. It can be fatal in certain cases, and have long lasting serious effects in others.

Symptoms can also vary, both in how it presents and their severity. Generally the first stage is just a feeling of malaise and fatigue, sort of like when you think you're getting sick and you just kind of feel generally awful. That usually lasts for a day or up to three.

The second stage is when the fever sets in. It's usually a high fever that can get dangerous really fast at this stage. Body aches, chills, some omegas get headaches, some get a rash with the fever. Their blood pressure and heart rate will rise during this stage and this is really where things can go wrong really fast. This stage is the most deadly and it's sort of where the illness gets its name. Heat sickness isn't the official medical name, but that's what it gets called because this period of high fever and symptoms affects an omega's brain and the heat cycle. It essentially tricks the brain into thinking it's already gone into heat and throws off the entire cycle, especially in those close to their heat when they get infected. This stage lasts usually about a week.

The third stage is the longest lasting stage. In normal cases in healthy omegas it might last up to two weeks, some might be in this stage for months. Low grade fever, fatigue, hormone imbalance, nausea and vomiting, digestive problems, more flu-like symptoms (headaches, runny nose, cough), body aches, brain fog, emotional turmoil, depression, irregular heat cycles. It's hard to cope with even just for two weeks, and omegas that have lasting effects can struggle a lot. There's a lot of interventions and therapies needed for omegas that have lasting effects and it's really hard on them and their packs (not to mention really expensive).

Heat sickness is very contagious and can spread easily from one omega to the next, especially in places like institutes where you can have hundreds of omegas all enclosed in one space. That's why it gets labeled as an epidemic when strains do find their way into areas because it just spreads so quickly and can just wipe out groups of omegas if there's limited or no access to good healthcare, especially during that second stage where things can get really bad. Usually doctors can predict how long symptoms will last in stage three by the severity of symptoms in stage two.

There's no preventative measures for heat sickness at this point in the timeline when the fic takes place. Things like proper hygiene and masking and quarantine if potential exposure is suspected are generally how things are supposed to go, but as we saw in the fic, not everyone takes it as seriously as they should. Especially betas and alphas since they don't get affected by it. Heat sickness is getting rarer (at least in the developed world), though as we see in the fic it can still become an issue.

Reader got a fairly mild strain that was being spread around during the time of the epidemic, and of course a place like FIOT has state of the art medical facilities and was able to handle the monitoring and upkeep of omega's health during the second and third stages. Reader was close to her heat when she got sick, so her cycle was thrown off for about three months I believe she says. She made a full recovery though and is fine and healthy at this point in the story.

Thank you for asking about this one and I hope this makes sense 😊💚

[timeofjuly]

soft, as it began

Later, Quinn will look back on her life as two separate, distinct halves; the before you, and the after. The before ended and the after began in ninth grade, when the two of you were partnered together in English Literature.

Or, how Quinn and the reader became friends.

AN: I hope you all like this! I had heaps of fun writing it. If there are any more moments you'd like to see in Quinn and/or MC's life before RTC, send your ideas my way!

“You’re sitting over there, Quinn,” Mr Ward says, gesturing to the back of the classroom. “There’s a packet already waiting for you on the desk. I’ve paired you with one of the more talkative students – gotta draw you out of that shell somehow, huh?”

He laughs and Quinn fights the urge to shrink into her hoodie like the very reptile she’s being compared to. She’s perfectly happy in said shell, thank you very much, and being stuck for an entire semester next to some asshole – talkative is code for asshole, obviously – sounds like her own personal version of hell.

“Yes, sir,” she says, rather than protesting. She holds her bookbag a little tighter to her chest and weaves between the desks, heading to her assigned seat. Her partner, whoever they are, hasn’t deigned to arrive yet; there’s less than five minutes until class starts according to her old, cracked Casio watch. That’s running late by her standards.

She sits and watches with increasing trepidation as the seats around her begin to fill, though the one directly next to her stays empty. Each new face through the door sends a new thrill of anxiety surging in her chest. Will her partner be James McKinnon, the guy who egged the Principal’s car over the summer? He probably doesn’t even know who she is.

Maybe it’s Brittany S (not to be confused with Brittany C, who is actually quite a nice girl), who spends all of her time giggling in the back of the classroom and going to the bathroom every ten minutes. Quinn’s going to be forced to do all of the work if she’s stuck with her.

Or, worse, what if it’s Anna Haas? The thought makes nausea roil in her belly. Anna probably doesn’t remember but in fourth grade she’d called Quinn firecrotch and Quinn had cried about it for a day straight, even though she hadn’t really even known what it meant. And then she’d gone home and asked her mom to explain, and that had caused a whole new world of trouble.

But James, Brittany S, and Anna all end up sitting elsewhere to her relief and soon, the entire classroom is full, save for the seat next to her.

Disquiet prickles at the back of her neck. She knows it’s ridiculous and they’re all literally in their assigned seats, but it feels like everyone’s purposely giving her a wide berth, like she smells bad or something. And she definitely doesn’t; she’d woken up super early this morning to shower and get ready before her dad woke up. She smells like jasmine and vanilla, if the description on her bottle of Dollar Store shampoo is to be believed.

Her Casio shows nine on the dot and Mr Ward stands up, right on que. “Alright, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to English Literature. I have very low hopes that all of you have actually finished your assigned readings, but-.”

The room to the classroom flies open and someone stumbles through, their chest heaving as if they’d sprinted from the other side of Brookside High. Their left shoe is untied and their hair is in disarray, but they’re smiling, lips curling around the puffs of their panting breaths.

“Fashionably late as ever, I see,” Mr Ward says wryly, regarding the student with a raised brow. “I thought we were turning over a new leaf this semester?”

“Sorry, Mr W,” you say, wiping your hair from your forehead. “Consider my leaves turned, I swear, it won’t happen again.”

Quinn’s heart does a terrifying flip in her chest. It does another few loops as Mr Ward gestures towards her desk, like it’s on the world’s most terrifying rollercoaster.

“You’re lucky I’ve already got a headache and don’t feel like filling out the paperwork to give you a late slip. Go, sit, and keep your mouth shut until I say you can open it.” Mr Ward’s trying for stern, but there’s the hint of a smirk pulling at his moustached upper lip.

You mime zipping your lips and then half-walk, half-jog to the back of the classroom, waving at a few other students as you do. Quinn’s heart is beating staccato in her chest and when you pull out the chair next to her, she’s worried that it’s so loud that you’ll be able to hear it.

You offer her a little wave too, as if you’re friends, despite the fact that the two of you have never even spoken before. Quinn goes to wave back, an aborted flutter of the hand, and feels heat in her cheeks at the awkwardness of the motion.

Mr Ward continues to talk and normally she’d be listening, even taking notes, but the thud of books and rattle of pens as you get comfortable is extremely distracting. You’re still breathing a little heavy from your grand entrance, too, and Quinn is hyper aware of the rhythmic whistle of your exhales. You’re sitting next to her, a sizeable gap between your bodies, but for some reason, she feels like you’re in her freaking lap. Her skin feels itchy, something funny settling in her stomach. She shifts a little in her chair, hoping to dispel it.

She forces herself to pay attention to the teacher and, through a combination of tuning in to the end of his explanation and flicking through the packet on her desk, she gathers that they’re doing a project about the Great Gatsby, the book that they had read over the break. In their assigned pairs, they need to pick a topic from the list provided by Mr Ward and then write an essay about it. That sounds fine to her; she likes the book, had enjoyed reading it over the break, and scanning through the topics, there’s several that she finds compelling.

She hopes that you’ve read the book. It’s not long, so surely you have. Worst case, Quinn’s pretty sure that there’s a movie based on it, so she can always ask you to watch that just to get a sense of the story.

Mr Ward finishes speaking, and the entire class erupts into noise, students turning to their assigned partners. That means that she needs to talk to you now, too. Anxiety skitters up her spine, forcing her back ramrod straight.

She turns to you, a slow motion of the head, her fingers tapping a nervous beat against the desk. You’re already looking at her. Your cheeks are still flushed and there’s mascara smudged on your eyelids.

“Hey, Quinn, right?” you say, leaning back in your chair at such a degree that Quinn’s shocked you don’t teeter over. “Nice to meet you.”

You introduce yourself, as if she doesn’t know who you are. Of course she knows who you are; you’re not one of the popular girls, necessarily, but you go between different friendship groups like a party yacht in the Mediterranean Sea, welcome wherever you dock. Quinn hasn’t been to many parties, but you’ve always been at the ones she has, laughing, smiling, in the middle of the group. Your mother is a retired athlete of middling talent, a tennis player, the closest thing that Brookside has to a celebrity even though she’d last competed over a decade ago. Quinn’s dad says that she had quit to get married and have kids, like all career women inevitably end up doing, even though your mom’s career-ending shoulder injury is common knowledge in Brookside.

“Nice to meet you,” Quinn says. It suddenly occurs to her that she might be able to make a friend here. You seem to be friends with half of the freaking school, after all; befriending you must be easy if everyone else has managed it.

Sound reasoning, but shit, what do people say to make friends?

All prior knowledge and instinct on how to interact with others like a normal person flies from Quinn’s brain with the grace and disastrous potential of an airplane on fire. All of her friends, the few that she has, have been her friends since preschool and she doubts that pointing at the sandpit and asking you if you want to play dinosaurs will win her any favour.

Compliments! She can give you a compliment. “I like your -.” She scans your upper half frantically, looking for something to comment on. “Bracelet! I like your bracelet! It’s cute.”

Said bracelet is a pretty, delicate golden chain, dotted with tiny purple stones. It drapes over your wrist in a way that she’d normally find benign but for some reason, she’s drawn to the way it sits on your skin, how it slides down your forearm when you lift your hand.

You grin at her. You have a pretty smile, she thinks, even though you have a mouthful of braces. “Aw, thanks! My dad got it for me for my birthday. Hey, you’re good at this class, right? I remember reading a poem you wrote in the Brookside Verse last year; it was really good.”

A mixture of mortification and hot, sticky pride fills her belly. Mr Ward had insisted that she submit the poem to the school’s arts magazine: had she known that they’d actually pick hers to be published, she never would’ve agreed. The idea of anyone, but especially you, reading it, makes her want to throw up.

“I don’t know if I’d say I’m good,” she mumbles, praying for the blush that’s turned her face red to recede. You’re going to think she’s such a loser!

“Well, I would,” you say. “I really liked it. Will you have anything in the next one?”

“I’m not sure yet. I didn’t know you read the Brookside Verse?” she blurts out and damn, that sounds like she’s calling you an idiot, as if your interest in the art’s magazine is something wildly out of character, worthy of being questioned, and what is wrong with her?

“I had an in-school three-day suspension in the library,” you say, “and I wasn’t allowed to like, read any books or anything, and they obviously took my phone, but there were heaps of copies of the Verse around, so I read it then. I liked the bit that compared the girl’s lips to fruit.”

“Oh,” she says, a little lost for words. She likes that line too, the bit about lips like an overripe fruit, ready to split and spill. “Thank you. I’m happy you liked it.”

“So, wordsmith,” you say, and your words are teasing but in a fun way, not a cruel one, said like it’s a secret only the two of you share. If Quinn had been blushing before, she’s outright on fire now. “Do you have any preference on what topic we do? I like the sound of one or four, but I’m happy to do whatever.”

“Four sounds good.” The words come out more like a squeak.

“Cool!”

The next ten minutes are spent working out the specifics of the assignment and she’s pleased by the way the two of you split up the work; you seem more than happy to do your fair share.

“We’ll probably need to talk outside of class to work on this,” you say, tapping your pen against your lips. You both have notebooks open in front of you and whilst Quinn’s been taking detailed notes, you’ve been aimlessly doodling in the margins. She does think she can see Gatsby’s green light scribbled in one corner, though, and a little jotted car that may be his Rolls Royce, so at least you’re on-task.

“Yeah, probably,” Quinn agrees. The assignment is extensive and you’re going to have to work pretty closely together.

“I’ll add you on Facebook so we can message each other,” you suggest. Quinn does her best to hide a wince.

“I don’t have it, sorry,” she replies apologetically. Social media is a big no-no in her house; her parents barely allow her to have her own cell phone and even then, she has to give the device up once a month for her mom to go through it.

“All good. Can I borrow your phone?” you ask.

Helplessly, hopelessly, Quinn pulls out her cell phone and passes it across to you. It’s an older model, a hand-me-down from her older brother, the screen cracked despite her best efforts. There’s no code on the phone; she isn’t allowed to have one.

She watches your fingers fly over the screen and then jumps a little when she hears a ding come from your pocket. You pass her phone back, looking pleased with yourself.

“I just texted myself, so you’ve got my number,” you clarify. “So we can organise a time to work together. We can meet at my house? Or yours, if you’d prefer. I’m easy.”

“Yours is good,” she replies, too quick, the words tripping over themselves on their way out of her mouth. Let hell she’ll ever let anyone over to hers.

You brighten. “Awesome! Any afternoon works for me. If we end up working late enough you can have dinner at mine too; mom and dad always make enough food to feed like, a million people.”

You laugh and Quinn laughs with you as if that’s an entirely relatable sentiment, when in reality, she’s almost certain that her own cupboards are bare and that she’ll be scraping the sides of the peanut butter jar tonight to hopefully scrounge together a single sandwich.

Does all of this laughing mean that you’re friends now? She has no idea. Do people invite not-friends over to their houses for schoolwork and dinner? You’re probably just this outwardly friendly to everyone; you’ve probably got a rotating roster of friends barrelling through your door each afternoon, eager to spend time with you after school.

“How does Wednesday sound?” you ask her.

“Wednesday works great.” Lord knows that she hasn’t got anything else on.

“Great,” you say. “It’s a date. I’ll text you my address now.”

Your head ducks down to your phone, no doubt to send her your address. You therefore aren’t privy to the flush that overtakes her at those words, burning red-hot from her ears all the way down to her chest.

It’s a date. She tells herself to calm down and stop being so weird, because obviously you don’t mean it like that, but the blush doesn’t get the memo.

Quinn’s phone buzzes and then you look back up at her, smiling with your mouthful of braces. She looks at you, her cheeks still red, probably staring like a lunatic and thinks as soon as I’m alone, I’m going to pull out my notebook and write about this. Write about the way your bracelet hangs from your wrist and the way your braces glint on your teeth. The way that your hand is stained with ink from your doodling. The way you’re smiling at her, right now. The way it makes her feel like the only person in the world.

[renee-writer]

Out of Time Chapter One Hundred and Four

AO3

Knowing how dangerous it was to travel together in the day, the move by night. Like ghosts they slip in and out of the shadows. Their torches are used sparingly. In the day, they find rest in the many abandoned buildings, after thought checking them out. There is always a guard posted.

 

“How are you feeling?” It is day three. They are preparing to leave their shelter. In a day or so, they should make it. Danny is concerned about Jenny. She looks a bit pale.

 

“Just the bother of morning sickness.” A low grade nausea follows her around day and night.

 

“Is there anything I can do to help?” The relationship is strange. She carries his child but they have never been as intimate as even holding hands. It makes the queer circumstances even more so.

 

“You have, you and Murtagh, by finding a safe place to raise them.” He still looks concerned so she gives him a smile, “Truly, I will be fine. It should soon ease up and it means the bairn is healthy.”

 

Murtagh has similar concerns with Mary. He offers to carry Alex, who at six months, is becoming a bit of a chunky lad.

 

“It is really no bother.” He says as she prepares to fasten him back on her chest.

 

“You are a dear but it is really alright. Besides, this is convenient for nursing “

 

That had worried him at first also. After talking with Jamie about it, his fears are eased. “It won’t harm the baby. Her body can handle it and Alex needs it. It will keep him strong.”

 

“Alright, but the offer still stands.” She smiles and pats his arm.

 

Charlie gets Maggie ready. The lass starts out strong. But by the middle of the night, she needs help. A back carrier allows Charlie to carry her without to much stress.

 

“Are you ready?” She asks her.

 

“Aye!” It is an adventure to the almost two year old. Being out at night, surrounded by her family. For her caregiver, it is less so. She is always on the lookout for the baddies. The lads are somewhat in the middle. It is part adventure and part scary expedition.

 

Claire nurses Juliaellen and places her in the sling. Jamie makes sure it is tight. They grin at each other. What a way to spend the first year of their marriage, slipping around in the dark, listening for sounds that don’t  belong, protecting their daughter and the others.

 

“Once we get to safety, we shall have a proper lay about. Shall just lay in bed, seeing to the lass and each other.” He promises.

 

“That sounds divine.”

 

“Auntie Claire and Uncle Jamie, we are ready.” Ian reports. He stands , his knapsack on, torch in hand.

 

“Aye, let’s be off then.”

 

A few hours into the hike, they hear something. Everyone stops and Charlie picks up Maggie. Jamie nods to Danny and they ease towards the sound. Moving the brush with their guns, they are prepared to shoot.

 

“Don’t please! We are harmless, me wife and I. She is just…”

 

Jamie sees right away. Something has been at the lass. She has a gash on her leg. Immediately, he is the doctor.

 

“What happened ? I am a doctor.”

 

“Praise God! I am Simon and this be me wife, Heather. I think it was a bear. No fooling, though I know they aren’t  usually found around here. I…” He suddenly runs out of steam collapsing by his wife.

 

“Danny, get everyone  together and over here. You and Murtagh with Simon here, stand guard. It is probably still close by. I will treat Heather.”

 

He nods and gestures for all to come closer. They had most likely, scared it away. That isn’t to say that it won’t return. They need to be ready. The women and children are placed in the center, with the men standing guard. Jamie takes down the sack with medical supplies and Claire joins him.

 

“Claire meet Simon and his wife, Heather. A bear got her. This is my wife, Claire and our daughter, Juliaellen. My sister, Jenny, and her children Ian and Maggie, Mary and Alex, Danny and Charlie, and Murtagh. I am Jamie.”

 

“Such a big group.” Heather mumbles. She is alarmingly pale. He worries about shock.

 

“Aye, there is safety and danger in numbers. We are careful.” He takes out saline to clean her wound. “This is just saline but it still might sting.” Claire sits down and takes her hand.

 

“Do as you need.”

 

As Jamie works, cleaning and bandaging the wound, Claire distracts her by talking.

 

“Where were you when it happened?” She doesn’t need to be specific.

 

“Simon and I was at home. He  wasn’t  feeling well and was taking the day off. He was on the couch at I in our kitchen when he called to me. Thought he was having a spell, he did, that the fever had gotten to him.”

 

“Almost done, just going to bandage it.” She nods.

 

“We smelled it first. I thought it the plant down the street. They made paper and the stench could be awful. Then we saw it. Alive, it seemed, drifting in to our home.”

 

“I rose and took Heather deeper into the house, trying to outrun it. We couldn’t, o’ course. It took some time to know we were going to survive. That it was unpleasant but not fatal. “

 

“We wet some rags and placed them over our nose and mouth and went out to see what else it had done.”

 

“Found no one and realized just how blessed we were “ Simon finishes as Jamie does.

 

“We know who did it and why. You are welcome to join us. We are heading to a safe house. “ Claire offers.

 

“Well we can’t stay alone here, not with the bear about. “ Simon tries to help Heather up. She tries but can’t place weight on her leg. “I shall carry you.” He offers. Relatively young, Jamie guesses early thirties, he is able to get her up. Heather is a healthy weight, not over or under. Within a few steps, her husband is staggering.

 

“You need to do the fireman’s carry.” Danny is saying, when they hear the growl. Everyone freezes.

[bekandrew]

When I was in the middle of sepsis recently and it felt like my organs were melting and I was having one of the worst headaches of my life (even though I live with chronic migraines) there was only one nurse who would bother to ask my doctor if I could have opioids... because it wasn't put in my chart, yay opioid crisis limitations. And that was only after he caught me sobbing because it had hurt so bad to be moved and jostled around for tests with some of the specific infections I had. I was in the hospital nearly a week and was only given a single dose of opioids, despite being in severe pain for most of the time I was there. That single dose was the only way I could sleep that night. All of this after I had only gotten so bad to be in this state in the first place because I'd been dismissed as med-seeking or faking/exaggerating/hypochondriac in the er when I showed up when things were starting to go wrong (I popped a low-grade fever at home after being on powerful antibiotics and was in moderate-severe pain, turning pale and shivering, periods of confusion, and nausea) earlier that week. Within 24 hours of leaving the ER, I had a fever just under 103F. I was hesitant to seek help again because of that treatment in the ER and took several more days of trying to wait it out til my upcoming GP appointment because I felt I would be taken more seriously there. But infections were spreading through my body and some got to my legs and made it excruciating to walk, so I caved and went to an Urgent Care clinic for some validation that I was really sick. I couldn't make it through the appointment without being made to call my wife to meet me there because I got too confused to coherently answer questions. Urgent Care referred us to the ER and honored my request to call ahead of us to let them know what was up so they wouldn't dismiss me again as some med-seeker. Maybe medical professionals should stop assuming everybody and their brother is """med-seeking""" and if they are? Maybe consider that they actually fucking need the meds. None of this had to happen.

some nurses I work with and get patients from give me the impression that they think a patient is opioid addicted and they need to be weaned off, and like even if that is the case 1) I'm not a addiction specialist, I'm their night nurse and their doctors have prescribed pain medication to be available to them, 2) day nurses I think can be more flippant about pain at times because during the day you have things that can distract you while at night, all you get to do is lie in bed and think about how much pain you're in, 3) I don't think a hospital stay for like heart failure is the best time to detox someone, 4) pain is incredibly subjective and I trust patients who've been living in their body for their whole lives more than I trust myself who has been talking to them about their body for five minutes, and 5) some nurses will be like "I don't offer pain medication unless the patient asks for it" and then the patient will ask for it and then it's all "this patient requested pain meds..... drug seeking behavior" like okay wtf are they supposed to do then? Stoically cry one tear down their cheek when I come to check on them so I can benevolently grant them 5 mg of oxy? 6) enduring pain doesn't make people better people, it actually makes people angry and tired and sad, so good luck building your therapeutic rapport while you make them beg for pain medication, maybe all your patients wouldn't be so mean to you if they weren't all suffering the entire time you're responsible for them, 7) if you aren't gonna give opioids and you're also not gonna page the doc for other meds and you're not gonna get ice packs and you're not gonna reposition your patient and you're not gonna ambulate them when they say that helps their hips and you're not gonna talk to them for a while to distract them and you're not gonna get them a jello cup to eat if they want, then literally how are you better than a little roomba with a med cup full of Lipitor scooting into their room?

I'm aware of the risks of opioids, I don't give them when it isn't safe or indicated, and I'm also aware that opioids aren't even good for all types of pain, but they can be an absolute gift to patients who need them. They aren't inherently evil. We don't have to make people suffer to improve their character. Even if suffering did that (it doesn't), improving character is outside my scope of practice. Here's some morphine.

[anuragparihar]

Stomach Flu (Viral Gastroenteritis): Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Stomach flu, medically known as viral gastroenteritis, is an infection that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Despite its name, it is not related to the influenza virus. This condition is highly contagious and typically resolves on its own, but severe cases may require medical attention, especially in young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of Stomach Flu The symptoms of viral gastroenteritis usually appear within 1–3 days of exposure to the virus and can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:

Watery Diarrhea: Frequent, loose, and watery stools without blood. Nausea and Vomiting: Feeling sick or experiencing frequent vomiting. Abdominal Cramps: Pain or discomfort in the stomach region. Fever: Low-grade fever and chills may accompany the infection. Fatigue and Weakness: General tiredness and lack of energy. Dehydration Symptoms: Dry mouth, reduced urination, and dizziness, particularly in severe cases Causes of Stomach Flu Stomach flu is caused by various viruses that infect the gastrointestinal tract, with the most common being:

Norovirus: A leading cause of outbreaks in crowded places, such as schools, cruise ships, and nursing homes. Rotavirus: Common in children, this virus spreads through contaminated hands or surfaces. Adenovirus and Astrovirus: Less common but can also cause gastroenteritis. Contaminated Food and Water: Consuming food or drinks contaminated with viruses can lead to infection. Close Contact: Stomach flu spreads easily through contact with an infected person or touching contaminated surfaces. Diagnosis of Stomach Flu Diagnosing viral gastroenteritis primarily involves assessing symptoms and medical history. Tests are usually unnecessary unless:

Symptoms persist or worsen. There are signs of severe dehydration or blood in the stool. A bacterial or parasitic infection is suspected. In such cases, stool tests may be conducted to rule out other causes.

Treatment for Stomach Flu There is no specific cure for viral gastroenteritis; treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing complications, particularly dehydration.

1. Hydration: Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, oral rehydration solutions (ORS), or clear broths. Avoid caffeinated and sugary drinks, which can worsen diarrhea. 2. Dietary Adjustments: Follow the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) to ease digestion. Avoid spicy, fatty, or dairy-based foods until symptoms improve. 3. Medications: Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications, like loperamide, may help but are not recommended for children. Antiemetics can reduce nausea and vomiting in severe cases. 4. Rest: Get plenty of rest to help the body recover. 5. Seek Medical Attention: If dehydration symptoms are severe or symptoms persist beyond a few days, consult a healthcare provider. Prevention of Stomach Flu Wash Hands: Practice proper hand hygiene, especially before eating and after using the restroom. Disinfect Surfaces: Clean high-touch surfaces with disinfectants. Safe Food Practices: Cook food thoroughly and avoid contaminated water. Vaccination: Rotavirus vaccines are available for young children to prevent severe infections. Desai Surgical Hospital is dedicated to providing expert care for patients dealing with stomach flu and other gastrointestinal conditions. Our team of gastroenterology specialists offers accurate diagnoses and comprehensive treatment plans to help you recover quickly and safely. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of stomach flu, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional medical assistance.

[ramyeongif]

After two days in the dungeons every bodily system learning how to fight something yet scarier, I emerge. / No more chills that drop into low-grade fever, no more body aches for muscle groups that I’ve never been aware of in my life, no more nausea that made me cry over the smell of tomato-based sauces. / No more cancelling meetings (and thank goodness, full gratitude, to everyone who supported my decision to rest; it takes a community to enact self-care decisions, don’t forget this.) / No more only being able to ease two bites whilst being ravenously craving food. / I emerged this morning having slept through the night, all twelve hours of it, slept through all my alarms, the fitbit buzzes, the podcast rings, even my most effective DIY sunrise lamp. / What a TIME to BE ALIVE: the summary of this morning as light streamed in through the windows, and I could see colours in all its vibrancy again no longer whimpering, sad to have been distanced from my favourite relationship: food. / It feels good to simply be, to be able to walk from one room to another, with no pain, to be able to drink coffee without having it send my body into overdrive, to have spaghetti without crying about why my body Suddenly Began Disliking It. / What a TIME to BE ALIVE, indeed.

LUCY DAN

[medjournalhealthcare]

Advanced Appendix Treatment in Dombivli: Trust Our Experienced Surgeons

 Understanding Appendicitis Treatment in Dombivli with Jeevanshree Hospital

Jeevanshree Hospital in Dombivli offers expert care and advanced surgical options for appendicitis, a serious medical condition. Led by Dr. Rahul Mahadar, one of the top appendix specialist doctors in Dombivli, the hospital ensures patients receive the highest quality care when they need it most.

Understanding Appendicitis

The appendix is a little pouch that resembles a tube that is joined to the large intestine. When the appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus, it is called appendicitis. It's a serious condition for which appendix surgery in Dombivli is usually necessary to prevent rupture, which can result in potentially fatal consequences including sepsis or peritonitis

Symptoms of Acute Appendicitis

Symptoms of appendicitis can vary, but common signs include:

Sudden abdominal pain on the right side

Pain that begins near the navel and shifts to the lower right abdomen

Increased pain with movement, coughing, or walking

Nausea and vomiting

Loss of appetite

Low-grade fever that may worsen

Diarrhea or constipation

Abdominal bloating

If you experience these symptoms, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention from an appendix specialist like Dr. Rahul Mahadar.

Diagnosis Methods at Jeevanshree Hospital

For appendix treatment in Dombivli to be effective, a precise diagnosis is necessary. Dr. Rahul Mahadar and his colleagues at Jeevanshree Hospital employ a variety of techniques to guarantee precise diagnosis:

Physical Examination: A thorough physical exam, including checking for tenderness in the lower right abdomen.

Blood Tests: Elevated white blood cell counts can indicate infection.

Urine Tests: To rule out urinary tract infections or kidney stones.

Imaging Tests: MRI, CT scans, or abdominal ultrasounds to confirm appendicitis or identify other causes of pain.

Surgical Options for Appendicitis in Dombivli

Dr. Rahul Mahadar is proficient in several surgical techniques for removing an inflamed appendix:

Laparoscopic Appendectomy: The most popular method for appendix removal surgery in Dombivli  minimally invasive procedure involves small abdominal incisions for a camera and surgical instruments. Benefits include less scarring, quicker recovery, and a clear view of the appendix.

Appendix Laser Surgery: This advanced technique uses laser technology for small incisions and appendix laser surgery in Dombivli, resulting in less pain, reduced infection risk, and faster recovery.

Open Appendectomy: Required in cases of abscess or burst appendix, this traditional surgery involves a larger incision to remove the appendix and clean the abdominal cavity.

Why Choose Dr. Rahul Mahadar for Appendix Surgery in Dombivli

Dr. Rahul Mahadar is not only a skilled gastrointestinal surgeon but also a top appendix specialist doctor in Dombivli. His expertise and meticulous approach to patient care ensure optimal surgical outcomes and personalized recovery plans.

Recovery and Aftercare Post-Appendix Removal Surgery

Recovery times vary depending on the type of surgery. Most patients can return home within one to two days after a laparoscopic appendectomy, while open appendectomy patients may need a longer recovery period. Dr. Mahadar and his team provide comprehensive aftercare instructions and support to help patients manage pain, adjust activity levels, and understand their recovery timeline.

Preventing Complications and Promoting Health

While appendicitis itself cannot be prevented, post-surgery care focuses on avoiding complications and promoting a swift recovery. Dr. Mahadar offers advice on exercise, diet, and symptoms to monitor for potential issues.

If you experience appendicitis symptoms in Dombivli, prompt action is crucial for quick recovery and minimal complications. The dedicated team at Jeevanshree Hospital, led by Dr. Rahul Mahadar, provides the best appendix treatment in Dombivli.. Contact Jeevanshree Hospital to schedule a consultation or learn more about advanced surgical options for appendicitis treatment.

Are you looking for Healthcare Marketing Agency ? Please feel free to contact Kaushal Pandey .

[lifewithoutmeds]

March 4, 2024

Hm, it's been about a week since I last wrote. that's encouraging. this feels regular, somewhat consistent. it usually isn't a good sign when i either write too frequently or too infrequently.

Recap: Monday, February 26: Ended up going to Tam O'Shanter with Patti around 7pm. she kinda loved it. we had some drinks, prime ribs, and shared a sticky toffee cake thing a la mode. i drank a bit too much but it was okay having ubered. should note not to drink white wine though. low key kind of hate it, especially the nausea the next day.

Tuesday, February 27: In office day, and Joyce provided lunch. i think we had sandwiches. i bussed into work and back, and picked up my car. it ended up being a battery issue and he did not seem to acknowledge that i had a windshield wiper fluid issue but whatever.

Wednesday, February 28: can't think of anything. work.

Thursday, February 29: work, and walked over to the local library at lunch to print out my livescan application.

Friday, March 1: pretty busy. Got gas at Costco, had a 9am appointment in Burbank for my livescan for volunteering at the shelter, handwashed my car for about an hour at the coin op car wash in glendale, and then met up with Patti at 11a.m. at my favorite thai massage place, followed by lunch at Night Market Song, then a loop around the silver lake reservoir. it was a nice time, with good conversation, and i left around 3:30pm to avoid traffic.

Saturday, March 2: just slept. all day. watched youtube. didn't do anything. slept some 11-12 hours.

Sunday, March 3: too much. church in the morning, lunch with my mom, descanso gardens with grace y and caroline, then off to long beach for a dinner party at stephen's, including amir, and some others, for a total party of 9. it was pretty fun, and everyone was nice. i felt that amir might've been uncomfortable, but that's likely because he felt out of place being either the only or one of two straight people at the party.

today was a productive day. worked, washed dishes, checked on Thor three times, handwashed a couple items of clothing, took a morning walk and a nice long lunch walk. ate yogurt, granola, and fruit for breakfast, a giant pasta lunch, and then some salad for dinner. balance.

the week ahead: trader joe's for groceries, withdrawing some cash for next week's massages with lana and a haircut for myself sometime this month. a birthday dinner for lana on saturday with 4-5 of her friends, and hopefully church on sunday. i also need to file my taxes and some sort of IRS filing for my little defunct LLC.

i'm lately feeling the need to mature. to think before i speak. to not just be spastic and quirky and undisciplined. i remember when i was in 7-8th grade and i would see the senior girls and think wow, so poised, so elegant, it'll be so neat to be a senior and transform into that. and i didn't. i was still super scruffy, hair messy, clothes unkempt, runny nose, just kinda gross. and now....i'm afraid not much has changed. but it's really time that i grow up. that i stop having to apologize for offending people, that i stop throwing myself impulsively at people who will not have me, at drinking too much, then crying too much, then hiding in shame.

i'm also realizing that lately the thing that i'm most self-conscious about is my appearance, and more recently, my weight. i feel that in general, i would look better thinner/fitter, and that especially clothes would look better on me. even if i saw an item of clothing that i thought looked good on the hanger, or on a model, i know that that will not translate onto me, and it makes me want to avoid shopping, and just in general feeling left out of that whole equation.

in other respects though, things seem to be chugging along. more routines, more structure, more writing, more cleaning, chipping away at the physical messes in my life. i deep-cleaned my car over the weekend and wiped down as much i could of the interior, and it felt like a relief to have that thin layer of dirt cleaned off.

i also bought some aerosol spray so i could clean off my laptops, and just ordered some electronics screen spray so i could clean my monitors as well. i'm just feeling a need and desire to just get to the things that i've been putting off. to get into those corners. to address the seemingly sagging portions of my ceiling, to replace the piping under my kitchen sink, to get a window guy to fix up some of the malfunctioning windows.

in the meantime, i have work and chores during the week, and usually 1-2 social functions on the weekends, one coworking day with danielle a month, and just .... just chugging along i guess.

it still feels like remarkable process though from 6 months or a year ago. i even considered briefly restarting up the self-improvement youtube, but ... who knows. i'll need to take down the videos where i'm just sobbing inconsolably. but even just the whisper of a thought to restart that was interesting to me.

it feels like progress.

[tarzantips]

Norovirus Outbreak in the USA? Know the Symptoms Before You Panic

Are you hearing whispers of a norovirus outbreak in the USA? While it is true that reported cases have been on the rise lately, there is no need to panic.

What is Norovirus?

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes stomach illness, often referred to as "the stomach flu."

It is not related to the influenza virus, and unlike the flu, norovirus does not have a vaccine.

What are the Symptoms?

Norovirus symptoms typically appear within 12-48 hours of exposure and can last for 1-3 days.

Here are the main ones,

Vomiting and nausea: This is the most typical symptom.

Diarrhea: Another frequent symptom.

Stomach cramps: Can cause discomfort and pain.

Fever: May be present, but usually low-grade.

Body aches: Mild aches and tiredness are common.

Important Note: These symptoms can also be caused by other illnesses. If you are concerned about your health, always consult a doctor.

Read: Dietary Guidelines for Chronic Disease Prevention

When to Seek Medical Attention?

While most cases of norovirus are unpleasant but short-lived, it is necessary to get medical attention if you experience,

Sudden or severe vomiting: Incapacity to swallow liquids.

Signs of dehydration: Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or having little to no urination.

Bloody stools: This can be a sign of a more serious condition.

Symptoms lasting longer than 3 days: Especially for young children, older adults, or individuals with weakened immune systems.

Norovirus Prevention (Remember)

Frequent handwashing is key to preventing the spread of norovirus.

Thoroughly clean and disinfect surfaces regularly.

Avoid close contact with anyone sick with norovirus.

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, especially if you are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea.

By staying informed and practicing good hygiene, you can help protect yourself and those around you from norovirus. Always get advice from your doctor if you have any issues with your health.

more >>>

[healthyliving63]

what are the signs of food poisoning from chicken?

Chicken is one of the most popular meats in the world, and for good reason. It's delicious, versatile, and relatively affordable. But it's important to be careful when handling and cooking chicken, as it can be contaminated with harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

An illness called food poisoning is brought on by consuming contaminated food. Without treatment, most people recover in a few days, and it's usually not harmful.

1.The most typical cause of food poisoning is:

• campylobacter

• salmonella

• Clostridium perfringens

• Escherichia coli (E. coli)

• Listeria

• norovirus

• Aureus Staphylococcus

• Shigella

• Hepatitis A virus

Salmonella : In the US, foodborne illness is most frequently caused by salmonella.

It is found in the intestines of animals and can contaminate chicken, meat, eggs, and dairy products.

Campylobacter :  The most frequent bacterial cause of diarrheal disease in the US is campylobacter. It is found in the intestines of raw chicken and can also contaminate water.

Clostridium perfringens is a bacteria that is found in the soil and can contaminate food that is not cooked properly. It is often associated with outbreaks of food poisoning from large gatherings, such as buffets and potlucks.

E. coli is a species of bacteria that can be found in both human and animal intestines.Some strains of E. coli can cause food poisoning. E. coli can contaminate meat, chicken, vegetables, and water.

Listeria : Food poisoning can be brought on by a type of bacterium called listeria. It can be found in water, soil, and animal waste. Numerous foods can get contaminated with listeria, including: 

• Chicken and raw meat

• Unpasteurized milk and cheese

• Raw fruits and vegetables

• Prepared foods like deli meats and hot dogs

Listeria can survive and grow in cold temperatures, such as those found in refrigerators. This is why it is important to cook chicken properly and to refrigerate chicken quickly.

Symptoms of listeria poisoning can include:

• Fever

• Muscle aches

• Headache

• Stiff neck

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

Listeria poisoning can be serious, especially for pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. If you think you may have listeria poisoning, it is important to see a doctor right away.

To prevent listeria poisoning, it is important to follow safe chicken handling and cooking practices.

Pregnant women should also avoid eating raw or undercooked  chicken, unpasteurized milk and cheese, and processed foods.

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu. It is the main factor behind outbreaks of food-borne disease in the US.  Norovirus can be spread through contaminated food, water, surfaces, and contact with an infected person.

Symptoms of norovirus infection typically develop 12-48 hours after exposure and can last for 1-3 days. Symptoms include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Stomach cramps

• Muscle aches

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Low-grade fever

Most people recover from norovirus infection without treatment. However, it is important to stay hydrated and to see a doctor if symptoms are severe or do not improve after a few days.

To prevent norovirus infection, it is important to follow safe chicken handling and cooking practices. Here are some tips:

If you are sick with norovirus, it is important to stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the virus to others. It is also important to wash your hands frequently and to disinfect surfaces that you have touched.

Aureus Staphylococcus. These germs can be discovered in dairy products that have been contaminated ,cooked salads, and meats. The S aureus bacteria can be transferred via coughing, sneezing, and hand contact. This suggests that anyone who prepare or handle food may become infected with the virus.

Shigella. Shigella bacteria can infect raw fruits and vegetables as well as shellfish. People who make or handle food frequently spread bacteria when they don't thoroughly wash their hands after using the bathroom.

Hepatitis A virus. The main way that people contract this virus is through eating raw shellfish or food that has come into contact with an infected person. Being ill for 15 to 50 days after an infection can make it challenging to identify the cause.

2.WHAT DOES FOOD POISONING FROM CHICKEN LOOK LIKE?

The most typical signs of chicken food poisoning include:

• Nausea- feeling sick

• Frequent vomiting

• Diarrhea-which may contain blood or mucus

• stomach cramps and abdominal pain

• Fever of 103 degrees    Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees     Celsius) or higher

• Headache

• Muscle aches

• Fatigue

• Dehydration symptoms, including extreme thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, extreme fatigue, dizziness, or lightheadedness

• After a few days, symptoms either get worse or don't go away.Read more

[ashlyy23]

Creative Introduction

Avp reporting as ordered sir. I’m Ashley V. Pajarillo, a clone of my father, you can call me by my second name “Ashley”. I have a Clone personality. If you all know the movie “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones”, that is where I got my clone personality. Clones are engineered to follow orders without question. I follow orders as long as it is good and will not hurt other people. I am the youngest among the two and I am close to my elder sister. We are six years apart from each other.

Ever since I was a child, I have really loved to play lego because I find it enjoyable especially when I build a piece of it. It is my hobby to play lego up to these days. I have a collection of it in my room. I also have gundams, star war clones, and dinosaur legos. I always watch the movies Star Wars and How To Train Your Dragon. I even share my interests with my friends who also love to watch it.

Growing up, I found out that I have potential in playing volleyball. It has become my hobby since then, until it became my sport. I am really excited to play volleyball with my friends and because of it I met a lot of people. I even joined our intramural volleyball team in National College of Business and arts-Cubao. Last school year, we won the championship among high school students. It was fulfilling because it was all worth it- our training and determination in this sport.

I find myself as an introvert because I only socialize sometimes and when someone approaches me. I also have this feeling of low battery, like a phone. That's why I am putting myself in power saving mode. I always think that I am a boring person because I always have nothing to say or I can say that I’d rather choose to listen than to talk but someone said to me that I am not because she really loves to talk and she wants someone who listens to her.

People describe me as kind, generous, rare, and they are scared of me when I get mad. I am thinking why they call me a rare person. They say that I am rare because this generation is full of men who's into bad things like smoking, drinking, and many other things that are against my belief. I do not even play with other girl’s hearts or even take advantage of them. I admit that there are some girls who confess to me but I am not looking to myself as someone who is superior. I felt shy when they asked me to take a picture with them. I just want to be myself and to have my own world and that’s why I know that I am an introvert. They also told me that people who are kind and rarely get mad are the ones who are scared to deal with when they are mad and I am one of those people.

There is a girl named Denise who came into my life when I was in grade 11 and she is in grade 12 that school year, We were at the same age and she always asked me to print her work. We always talk about something random every night, she is a talkative girl tbh but listening to her is what I liked the most instead of listening in class. She talks while I listen. Days passed and my feelings were getting clear to me. The academic week is about to start and I finally confessed to her personally. I've been her suitor for 4 months and now she is my girlfriend. I was so happy when she answered me, I told her that she answered me to the people who walked passed us even the vendor or the Iced coffee. I told her that I'll still court her and be better every day and I love her so much po.

I'll share something about my family. My Father is a cameraman in a sabong sport, it is a chicken fight to be easily understood. He is the one who supports us in our education and daily needs. My mother is the one who cooks for us and takes care of us. I'm not allowed to share this but I'll just share it anyway, my mom has been sick since I was younger, and I took care of her sometimes at home when the sickness was attacking, Sometimes she vomits, gets nausea (nahihilo), and body aches. I always try my best to take care of her because I know that someday she'll get better and I always pray to God to make her better and our Lives better.

[light-bender]

Every day is an exercise in trying to, and learning how to love yourself.

Depression and anxiety make for an uneven road.

But chronic illness and pain, no matter how minute, will really trip you up.

They'll make you feel weak, tired, run down, less than, like everyone else around you is stronger and better than you because you cant even handle the bare minimum some days.

I dont have an answer for this, I am just going to keep trying...