By Jan Vicente B. Pekas
Since getting sick this week, I don’t remember when was the last time I ever went through a fever. Because I remember when I was a more reckless kid and I ate everything and anything, I was always getting the same type of strong illness once every year. I would always be struck with a fever that took me out of school for one week. At some point it became routine and I had just accepted it.
Luckily for my stomach, one of my parents is a vegetarian, so it would always get its fair share of nutritious things.
It was the one semester of me going to college in Laguna where I really learned the discipline of staying hydrated. Comparing the weather of Baguio to Laguna, you would only be inclined to drink more if you’re under the Laguna sun.
It was very beneficial for me that I took that same thirst and kept it when returning to Baguio. Baguio was too cold for me to have developed a good drinking habit had I only stayed here.
Since returning from Laguna did I notice that I stopped having the same type of strong fever every year. The same type of fever that kept me out of school for one week was gone. Now, I have only gotten these small fevers, not strong enough to keep me from going to school and living life.
Though it did remind of those days being bedridden for several days straight. I would always be so sick that my eyes felt hot, and I had trouble opening them for a long period of time. My body would also ache all over that laying down was anything but a relief. Going through this for an entire week every year probably helped me achieve a better lifestyle subconsciously.
After going through a pandemic and now all sorts of diseases are all over this city,everyone had their eyes opened on the true value of health. Taking care of one’s health is a responsibility to be taken seriously. Because a couple straight days of only eating junk food and we can miss more of life than we want to.
As someone who had gotten sick more often than I wanted to, it was inevitable that I missed fun programs and activities because of it. Timing can be cruel and if we continue to gamble with our health, then a fever may just come and visit at the worst timing possible.
Gambling is never worth it, especially if it’s our health. With something so valuable, we ought to just play it safe and play the long game. **
