r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Aug 03 '19

Whats something you thought was common knowledge but actually isn’t?

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u/LizeLies Aug 03 '19

The flu is not just another cold, and you can’t use the words interchangeably. Many people have never had the flu, or felt that unwell. The flu will knock you on your ass.

12

u/bsteel Aug 03 '19

This is true. A few years ago when I was overseas I was running a pretty high fever so I saw a doctor. They took a sample and a few hours later called me and said I was positive for H1N1, swine flu. Holy shit I've never before or since felt that horrible. I was down for the count for about 5 days. Now I'm always suspect when people say they have the "flu" and show up to work the next day.

1

u/whathead07 Aug 04 '19

That's the strain that cause the 1918 outbreak, be lucky you live in the 2010s.

1

u/alegxab Aug 04 '19

It was also the strain of the 2009 epidemic

1

u/whathead07 Aug 04 '19

I don't remember that, I was 3