Could you share some less common illnesses to use? The prompts keep making me think of cold/flu, which is great, but I don't want to write it all about that. I try to use different things, but I'm stuck in a rut, and I like variety in the sickfics I read and write. My main go-to is chicken pox, and I want to use mumps and meningitis at some point.
We can definitely see how many of the prompts could be interpreted as cold or flu related. And we certainly understand your desire to try something new!
But we also feel like the 'more cake' analogy is worth repeating. There are so many symptoms, scenarios, treatments, home remedies and 'old wives tales' that there is an endless supply of new ways to reinvent any trope! And one great fic definitely deserves another... and another... and another...
That being said, we've put together a list of illnesses/additional symptoms. How you can potentially work them into the various prompts is up to you! But goodness knows, any of them could lead to a few sleepless nights (Prompt 27) Anyway, we hope this helps!!
Acute Pancreatitis is the prolonged inflammation of the pancreas. Acute Pancreatitis usually appears suddenly and lasts for several days. Although some people may develop chronic pancreatitis, which can last for years. Causes include but are not limited to, infection, alcoholism, certain medications, gallstones, trauma and obesity. Treatment may involve a change in diet, IV fluids, pain medication or in some cases surgery to remove bile duct blockages, the gallbladder or infected pancreatic tissue.
Symptoms include: Upper abdominal pain, abdominal pain that radiates to the back, abdominal tenderness, fever, rapid pulse, nausea and vomiting.
Norovirus is one of the most common causes of vomiting and diarrhea. In some places it's also referred to as the 'winter vomiting bug' because it's more common in winter, although you can catch it at any time of the year. It usually takes a few days to recover.
Oral Thrush or Oral Candidosis is a fungal (Yeast) infection of the mouth. It isn't contagious and can be treated fairly successfully with antifungal medications. It can be caused by the use of certain antibiotics, poor oral hygiene, smoking or the use of steroid inhalers used for asthma.
Symptoms include: White or red patches inside the mouth, lose of taste, general redness in the mouth and throat, pain and burning within the mouth that can sometimes make eating and drinking difficult.If let untreated, Oral Thrush can become much more serious.
Cellulitis is an infection within the deeper layers of the skin. It can often be treated with antibiotics. Although more problematic cases can lead to hospitalization. If it’s not retreated properly it can become extremely serious. Cellulitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection that enters the skin via a cut or scrape.
Symptoms include: The affected skin suddenly becomes red, hot swollen and sore. More severe cases can be accompanied or preceded by a high fever, full body tremors, nausea and vomiting, dizziness and confusion.
Urinary tract infections or UTIs are common and affect the bladder, the kidneys and/or the tubes that connect them. They can have varying levels of pain and discomfort depending on the severity. They generally heal within a few days and are often treated with antibiotics. UTIs are usually caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract., generally from the urethra. A few of the causes could be dehydration, the use of scented hygiene products and/or not regularly and fully emptying the bladder.
Symptoms include: Pain or discomfort during urination, having sudden or frequent urges to urinate, lower abdominal pain or discomfort and a general feeling of achiness. More severe symptoms can occur when the kidneys are involved. Thos symptoms include back pain, fever, chills, confusion and restlessness. It is worth noting that while UTIs can affect anyone they are most common in women.
Vertigo isn’t an illness so much as it’s a symptom, often associated with migraines and inner ear infections. Vertigo can be described as the sensation that you, or your environment are moving or spinning. The feeling can be barely noticeable or extremely intense and can last anywhere from a few seconds to several days.
Shingles is an infection of a nerve and the surrounding skin. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes Chicken pox. The main symptom of shingles is prolonged and virtually untreatable pain along with a rash that develops into itchy blisters. New blisters may appear for up to a week, but will become yellowish in color, flatten and dry out within a few days. Blisters can lead to scarring.
Other symptoms include: headache, burning, tingling, numbness or itchiness of the skin in the affected area, feeling generally unwell and/or fever.
Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection that is spread to humans by infected ticks. Lyme Disease can range from mild to severe depending on how quickly the symptoms are recognized and treatment begins. Although symptoms may not appear for up to thirty days post bite.Antibiotics are the most common treatment.
Symptoms include, most prominently a ‘bulls-eye’ shaped rash around the bite area that may increase in size over time. Some people will develop a rash over their entire body. One in three people affected by Lyme Disease will also have flu-like symptoms such as, fever, aches and pains, a stiff neck and fatigue. If left untreated, symptoms can progress to include swelling and pain in the joins, numbness in the limbs, lasp in memory, and heart issues.
Acute Cholecystitis is when there is swelling and inflammation in the gallbladder. This is potentially serious and usually needs to be treated in hospital. Treatment includes fasting, intravenous fluids and pain management. The doctor may recommend the removal of the gallbladder to prevent future attacks.
Symptoms include: Most prominently, a sharp pain in the lower right side of the abdomen that spreads towards the shoulder. The affected part of the abdomen is usually sore to the touch, and does not fade over time. Deep breathing may increase the pain. Other symptoms may include fever, sweating, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting and yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Catarrh is also a symptom rather than an illness. Catarrh is the build-up of mucus in an airway or other cavity within the body. Generally the back of the nose, throat or sinus. It’s usually temporary and is associated with colds, allergies and sinus polyps. It usually only last a few days but in some situations can become chronic and hard to treat. Treatments include avoiding allergens, taking sips of cold water, the use of a humidifier, saline nasal rinses, and over the counter decongestants.
Associated symptoms include: coughing, runny nose, stuffy nose, the feeling of mucus in the back of the throat, the need to constantly clear your throat, headache or facial pain, a cracking sensation in the ears accompanied by some temporary hearing loss (This could also lead into an ear infection, particularly in small children)
Mumps is a contagious viral infection that used to be common in children (but could also affect adults) before the introduction of the MMR vaccine.
symptoms include: Most prominently, painful swelling around the side of the face (The parotid glands) along with headaches, joint pain and a high temperature, which may develop a few days before the swelling occurs.
We found this website to be very helpful when compiling the list above. It not only lists common illnesses but additional symptoms as well.
I know I shouldn't, but I hate temporarily sick people complaining. Yes, you have a head cold, yes that sucks. But I dislocated my rib today and it sucks and I haven't said shit. Because nobody tolerates complaining from always sick people. We have to get used to it and suck it up and be a part of society. Fuck this.
I have pretty active Rheumatoid Arthritis and a combination of it and my medications gives me some pretty bad fatigue. I recently got a cold and as per usual, it's twice as bad as it should be and lingering way longer than is necessary. I have to go to a bridal shower for my best friend in 3 days and I already didn't have enough spoons to deal with the situation - now I have no idea how I'm going to get through it.
I feel like I’m always sick. Between my endometriosis, migraines, and just general colds or other seasonal sicknesses, I feel like I never get a break. And on the rare days when I do feel okay, its like I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’m so tired of being sick.
My mom knew I was immunocompromised. I don't think she realized how much until my doctor said it could take me a month to beat my cold. A common cold, 3-4 weeks of recovery time. Used to be I'd bounce back within a week, now not so much.
I hate getting sick. Not because it's uncomfortable and even more painful than usual, but because I never /know/ that I'm sick. I always feel bad so I just assume it's normal. It always freaks me out. Anytime I feel something new I become terrified that I'm getting worse somehow. And on top of that, once I know that I actually was sick, I always wonder what would happen if I got sick with something that could really hurt me and I wouldn't even know
It's so interesting to see what some coworkers will call into work for. A small headache, etc. I've worked through migraines. I've walked to work while in terrible pain (and oh yeah, I don't get opiates because there's a heroin epidemic in my city and pain patients are blamed). I've worked a couple days after surgery. I'm constantly pushing myself hard and I know other chronic patients who do the same. We get no recognition because we appear "fine."
