I have been trying for several months to figure out the best way to describe and treat what has been ailing me. My official diagnosis is chronic sinusitis, but I also have had a severe cough (at times choking), seizure-like events, and some symptoms reminiscent of meningitis, such as sensitivity to bright light and problems with coordination. Antibiotics help, but they are not a panacea.

What I know for certain is that I am not the only person to have this cough. Also, it is not COVID. It is very prevalent in the Pacific Northwest, in particular in Portland, Oregon. Last time I was there, nearly everyone I interacted with was coughing!

If you come down with this thing, I have to warn you: it is serious and hard to get rid of. Expect to curtail major physical activities. If you are training for a marathon, set that aside. Also, cancel all but essential travel. I made the decision — right or wrong — to make my way from the PNW to a warmer, sunnier place. This seemed like a rational decision, given that it is mid-February. I checked with my doctor first. He did not tell me not to go.

There are a lot of theories out there as to where this came from, and how it propagated. It seems to thrive in cold, damp environments —  such as the Oregon Coast, where I would be under all normal conditions. There, the white fog rolls in during the daytime and the night and it is sometimes difficult to even see across the street. I should also say that this illness is quite aggressive. Drink even a sip of contaminated water, or have someone sneeze in your general vicinity, and you will come down with it.

The threat of avian flu has been out there for years. Believe it or not, my ex-husband and I prepared for this eventuality — all the way back in 2006. We filled a large cardboard box with canned goods, snacks, medical supplies (including a thermometer, cough medicine, etc) and other useful items. Then we sealed it and put in the back of our storage closet. The idea was that if conditions got really bad, we could just stay inside for days or weeks.

Please note — I’m not sure that level of caution or quarantine is necessary. Also, it is possible to get over this thing. I am doing much better today than two days ago! But if you have even the suggestion of a cough, try to avoid close contact. If you are around seniors or children, take special care. I am not a medical doctor, so I am not going to give further advice here.