Tamiflu PIREP

I had sudden onset of flu like symptoms Tuesday evening and went to the
doctor Wednesday morning. She said she didn't think it was flu but they are
jumping hard on any possible case since it hasn't shown up in our area yet.
She also gave me "Tamiflu" to take. This is the medication that can cut the
duration of the illness by a couple of days if given early.

I spent the centennial of flight sick as a dog with fever and obvious virus.
Thursday I gradually got better and felt quite human by evening. I woke up
this morning (Friday) feeling groggy but by mid morning was bounding with
energy and ran around all day feeling almost euphoric. Very, very different
from the usual "run over by a truck" feeling after being as sick as I was.
Great stuff. Of course it probably was just a mild (relative to flu) virus
and Tamiflu was overkill.

However, looking back at the day, I realize I've done a number of very
spaced out and stupid things. I am really glad I didn't decide to go
flying. I've been sort of in the high altitude without oxygen frame of mind
but buzzing around at high speed. Almost bent the car as well.

There isn't too much experience with this stuff yet and you can't draw any
conclusions from an individual case. Still, this illness and recovery was
unlike anything I've experienced. If you use Tamiflu and feel great, take a
few moments for a really thorough self assessment before you fly. The body
may recover quite a bit before the mind.

--
Roger Long