Celebration Started Late

Amidst the usual pomp and show that the New Year typically ushers in, I was sadly unable to participate in any of it. I had just come back from a convention, and when I initially started falling sick, I dismissed it as part of the stress of traveling. Plus, I had my younger cousin to take care of; he was down with measles.

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It started as a headache, then I began coughing dryly. I bought cough syrup, but I kept sinking deeper into sickness. I thought it was part of the drug's side effects. The cough did not subside, and then, on day three of constant weakness, I got my first boil—on my face, then on my neck. It spread rapidly all over my body and fully gripped me.

Apparently, I had contracted measles from caring for my cousin. All my other cousins who shared a room with him also caught it. Within a week, everyone in the house, except for my mom, had measles.

What kind of New Year was this? Oh God, we were all supposed to be celebrating! Where did this measles come from?

Call me ignorant, but I honestly never knew measles was so contagious until it took us all down. We all kept chugging antibiotics, herbs, immune boosters, and much more.

The antibiotics came in two phases: injections and pills. We used calamine lotion, which greatly helped with the itchiness and drying out the boils. I continued with my cough syrup and even had to get another one, as the first one finished too soon. I took paracetamol for pain relief and vitamin C for an immune boost.

I'm grateful all this happened to me when I was close to my family; how would I have survived if I were alone?

My cousins and I are all good now, and thankfully my mom never caught the virus. She used the two-factor authentication method—she took the drugs just to avoid it.

Celebrations started late in my household, but through sickness and health, there was love and laughter.