Miss Wilhelmina

Yesterday, one of my co-trainees asked me if I was willing to have a flu shot. I knew it was going to be good for me, but I’ve never been given a flu shot before. I’m not scared of needles, and it was pretty cheap. I didn’t have any money with me, but the company’s just going to deduct 450 pesos (USD10.46) from my monthly salary.

The doctor looked pretty young for a doctor. He was everything how you would stereotype a doctor. He wore glasses, he was super clean, his clothes were crisp, his hair trimmed quite nicely, and he smelled nice. And oh, he was tall too. He looked like a cross between local actors Drew Arellano and Mon Confiado. When he called me by my name, he made it so that he pronounced it right, since not a lot of Filipinos can say my name right. He also pronounced it like he was trying to make fun of the situation. He then asked me if it was my first time to get a flu shot. Naturally, I said yes. The he told me that I will be experiencing some nausea, numbing and some pain.

I was like, :O


ME: Seriously?

Doc: For some people, that happens, but to you, it might not happen. Do you have any allergies?

ME: Nope, none that I know of.

Doc: Alright, after the shot, you have to stay here and rest for about 5-10 minutes. We’re gonna need to observe you.

After the short interview about my health, he forwarded me to the pretty nurse and she gave me the shot on my left arm after confirming that I was right-handed. They then told me that the vaccine is good enough for about a year, so I’m gonna have to get another shot next year. And I will get my flu shot next year.

I didn’t feel any noticeable pain at all, until the next day. It was like getting bitten by a mosquito without the obvious bite, but it was also like having some muscle pain in that particular area where the shot was given. One of my co-trainees couldn’t feel his arm and another said that his arm felt weak. Another said that he got a slight fever for about a couple of hours.

I guess I’m luckier. But then again, in training, I fell asleep more than a couple of times and I was feeling very very uncomfortable. I still feel slight off so I can’t even concentrate fully on the training. Not only was I falling asleep every now and then, my body felt like it went through power training and that it was super tired.

I can only hope it’s just a temporary side effect of getting a flu shot for the first time.