Mmm, Diseases

I’ve been feeling a little under the weather for the past few days. I ‘ve been waking up around 5:30am (I guess I’m still jetlagged) and then I’m tired all day. No fever, no headaches, just plain tired. Last night I went to bed at 8:45pm. Don’t worry Mom and Dad, I’ve been drinking lots of water, doubled up on my vitamins, eating lots of fruits, and not out partying until the wee hours (right, like I’ve ever done that in Aceh!)

Let's go through my Lonely Planet Indonesia book to see what possible funky disease I may have. The book does devote 12 of its pages to Health and Diseases!

Let’s check out the Infectious Diseases section. First up is the ubiquitous and all time favorite Diarrhea! Ok, I KNOW I don’t have Diarrhea. Moving on, Fungal Infection. Nope, I don’t have athlete’s foot or ringworms. Hepatitis symptoms sound a little more promising with fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, feeling of weakness and aches and pains, followed by a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-color feces, and jaundice. But, oh I’ve been immunized against Hepatitis A. Next on the list is Typhoid, I’ve been immunized for that too. What about Schistosomiasis? Nope, probably don’t have that since it’s only present in Central Sulawesi.

Now, moving onto Insect-Borne Diseases. Do I have Malaria? Symptoms range from fever, chills and sweating, headache, diarrhea and abdominal pain to general feeling of ill health. So, maybe I have Malaria? What about another fun one – Dengue Fever? It’s transmitted by mosquitoes as well and symptoms include a sudden onset of high fever, headache, joint and muscle pains and nausea and vomiting. A rash of small red spots appears 3 to 4 days after the onset of fever. Nope, no red spots. Finally what about Japanese B Encephalitis? Symptoms include fever, headache and alteration in consciousness. Survivors of this doozy is often intellectually disabled.

Maybe I have one of the Less Common Diseases? I definitely don’t have Cholera, Filariasis includes swelling of the lymph glands and swelling of a limb or the scrotum. Hmm, don’t’ think I have that one. Rabies – haven’t been bitten by anything lately. I got my shot for Tetanus and don’t think I have TB or Typhus.

or...

I just haven't been drinking enough coffee.