azithromycin is my friend

99.8F Yay! This is the first time since Tuesday that I've had a fever less than 100F. I've been ill for about two weeks now, and it's getting very tiring. I survived the initial flu okay, but then I got a bacterial infection immediately afterwards. That one wasn't as easy to endure. Neither ibuprofin nor plain aspirin made any dent in the awful headache.  On Friday evening, my temperature went up to 102.8F. Coincidentally, that same day I received an information packet for Minnesota Care, the insurance available for uninsured, unemployed, and/or poor folk like me. I haven't yet received a paycheck from my new part-time job, but I think I can still qualify for the program even with this employment. The rules say, "At or below 200%" of federal poverty guidelines. I'll easily remain within that limit even with my job.  Now that I'm employed, I'll have to start paying premiums for the coverage, but that should be about $50/month.

I went on Saturday to see the doctor with my new health insurance card. I got this wonder drug called azithromycin. The entire regimen consists of 3 pills. Yes, just 3 pills. But the drug will stay in my body for about 10 days total. I've only taken 1 pill so far, but already the infection seems to be leaving my sinuses and ears. I'm still coughing with a sore throat, and lights still hurt my eyes, but I already feel much better than I have in nearly a week.  Since this stuff hangs around in my body for so long, I hope I'll finally get some strength back and not succumb to any new germs meanwhile.

I guess that's one big negative for my new job.  It's a semi-"public" job, where I'll be walking past lots of children and other little germ factories.  :)