# I am sick. Sick with ick. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 15, 2000, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323 "2000-09-15T17:11:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/1 "2000-09-15T17:11:46Z")
[andygirl becomes the only person to get the reference] Yes, I’m stuck at home with a very unpleasant cold-type thing, which I will call acute nasopharyngitis because it sounds more impressive. “Bacilli swarm within my portals Such as ne’er concieved by mortals; Bacteria the size of mice With heads of fire and feet of ice, Who never interrupt for slumber Their stamping elephantine rhumba.” -Ogden Nash [/blatant ploy for sympathy] I gotta go brew some more tea. ---
**Author:** ![struuter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@struuter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/struuter)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/2 "2000-09-15T17:39:31Z")
Aw, jeez. I’m really sorry. Are you drinking lots of liquids? Have you applied the proper amounts of Vick’s to your chest and covered it with a towel? Are you keeping warm enough? Are you drinking your orange juice and eating your chicken soup? None of them will probably work, but they might make you feel a little better. Tea, IMO, is the best. You just sit down there and relax and I’ll have some brewed up for you in no time. Have your remote? Good. Got your blanket tucked in tight? Good. Just take it easy… ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/3 "2000-09-15T18:02:03Z")
Jeeze, I thought you said you had “ich.” I was going to ask if your fins had started to rot away. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/4 "2000-09-15T19:26:14Z")
Struut, thx for the tips. So far I have taken a hot bath, hot tea, a warm blanket, Tylenol, Sudafed, and a bathrobe, and am conducting the highly scientific nasopharyngitis cure of lounging around all day in front of the computer. But if I choose to venture out today, it will in fact be for vix and chicken soup. Let me see if there’s any mango juice in the fridge. ---
**Author:** ![LaMaxwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e0b2c6/32.png) [@LaMaxwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LaMaxwell)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/5 "2000-09-15T19:37:13Z")
Hi, darlin’. Hope you get to feeling better soon. For a suggestion, if you like/tolerate spicy food, try some Udon (sp?) Hot Taste soup. You can usually find it in the oriental food section of better grocery stores, or you can check out asian markets if the store doesn’t have it. Be sure and get the “Hot Taste”. The soup comes in a package like Ramen noodles and is prepared the same. It really is VERY spicy (I only use about 1/2 the seasoning packet) but my husband and I have both found that it’ll knock out head and chest colds pretty fast. Probably just relieves the symptoms, but who cares? Pamela ---
**Author:** ![LaMaxwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e0b2c6/32.png) [@LaMaxwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LaMaxwell)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/6 "2000-09-15T19:38:47Z")
BTW, kudos on the verse! ---
**Author:** ![Sea\_Sloth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Sea\_Sloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sea_Sloth)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/7 "2000-09-15T19:44:53Z")
Poor sick baby thing! I highly recommend miso soup broth and Celestial Seasonings herbal tea. Get a really bad thriller or mystery book from the grocery store (that’s the only way to ensure it will be true brain candy) and tuck yourself in. I hope you get better soon! ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/8 "2000-09-15T19:57:03Z")
Miso soup nothin’! You’re in Montreal darling! The capital of the world’s best Chicken and Matzo Ball soup. Guilt one of your friends to drive over to the Snowdon Deli on Decarie and get you a big huge container of it. Might as well have them get some smoked meat sandwiches and cheesecake while they are there. Relax, eat, sleep, drink hot tea with lemon and honey. Indulge yourself. Salut! ---
**Author:** ![KimKatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@KimKatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KimKatt)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/9 "2000-09-15T20:15:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by matt\_mcl \* > \*\*if I choose to venture out today, it will in fact be for vix and chicken soup. > \*\* Isn’t there a user on the boards named **Vix**? Have you cleared this with her? 😃 Hope you’re feeling better soon, **matt.** ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/10 "2000-09-15T21:15:01Z")
Hmm shall I give you sympathy? I dunno… I’ve got a cold too and I don’t get any (from anybody at all…) Ah well Hope you get well soon. (Hope we both get well) Colds are terrible… this time of year especially (well any time of year but colds outside of winter seem… sacreligious somehow… in winter at least you know LOTS of people are suffering as well, not just you whom it may seem like right now) So um yah thats all I had to say… all the good advice was taken so I couldn’t give any… beyond take lots of vitamin C! That helps! ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/11 "2000-09-15T21:16:15Z")
Do a 50% water change and add a little salt to your tank. Also increase the water temp to about 80 degrees. …What? You don’t have fish?? Ohhhhhhh… Then, have some herbal tea and a grilled cheese samich. You’ll be better in no time! Zette ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/12 "2000-09-15T22:00:38Z")
I had that ick thing last month. It’s awful. The worst part is that it doesn’t quite want to go away and leave me alone yet. I feel fine, except for a stuffy nose and a cough. Other than that, I don’t feel sick. So I’ve been coughing and blowing my nose for a month now. Argh. It’s driving me crazy. I’m firmly in the chicken & matzoh ball soup camp, too. And the bad book. And don’t forget the warm, snuggly afghan! ---
**Author:** ![Zumba\_The\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/779978/32.png) [@Zumba\_The\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zumba_The_Cat)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/13 "2000-09-15T23:19:14Z")
I feel sorry for you Matt. It sounds like we have the same Ick. I have been sick since Wednesday. I recommend hot orange juice, grilled cheese sandwiches, Puffs Plus with Aloe, and lots of NyQuil. In fact, I think that it is time for another dose of NyQuil and back to bed for me. ---
**Author:** ![Sealemon88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c68b51/32.png) [@Sealemon88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sealemon88)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/14 "2000-09-15T23:41:15Z")
Dang, Matt, I just got over something very simular. Stuffy head, hacking up snot, achy throat, ect. Just do what I did: Spread it to someone you love, and share the misery! \< Running and hiding from Shanin \> ---
**Author:** ![Ayesha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c0e974/32.png) [@Ayesha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ayesha)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/15 "2000-09-15T23:49:51Z")
{{{{{{{{{Matt}}}}}}}}}} Honey I’m sorry you feel bad. Try a shot of whiskey with hot water, lemon and sugar. It may not cure you but you won’t care. ---
**Author:** ![Spider\_Woman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Spider\_Woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spider_Woman)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/16 "2000-09-15T23:52:21Z")
Echinacea tea is supposed to help with colds/respiratory type things, and I think it is available in tablets also. And zinc lozenges are supposed to be good for colds and flu. Is there anyone close by who could go out and get stuff for you? I hope you feel better soon. -----🙂 —////\\ ---
**Author:** ![Catrandom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@Catrandom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catrandom)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/17 "2000-09-16T00:11:01Z")
And, of course, sleeping under one’s cat is a known treatment for ick 🙂 Hope you feel better soon. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/18 "2000-09-16T00:56:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Catrandom \* > \*\*And, of course, sleeping under one’s cat is a known treatment for ick 🙂 > \*\* Or, the cause. See: [http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?li=MT&ArticleKey=7812](http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?li=MT&ArticleKey=7812) An excerpt: What factors increase the risk of acquiring toxo? The following situations potentially expose a person to the toxoplasma parasite and increase the risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis: Touching your hands to your mouth after gardening, cleaning a cat’s litter box, or anything that came into contact with cat feces. ---
**Author:** ![Scotticher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Scotticher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotticher)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/19 "2000-09-16T01:06:42Z")
Sorry you are feeling icky, honey- I am firmly in the Nyquil camp, here. I don’t think it cures you, but it puts you to sleep so your body can concentrate on getting you well. Having said that, let me tell you how I lived to be an adult. When I was a child, my Scottish grandmother had three things that “cured whatever ails you.” Vick’s Vaporub on your chest and under your nose. Honey and lemon in tea. (Add some whiskey, but don’t tell my gram, okay?) CamphoPhenique for boo boos. Hey, she must have been right, I made it this far didn’t I? Hugs and healing thoughts coming your way! ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323/20 "2000-09-16T04:34:21Z")
Order in some fresh Hot and Sour Soup from your best local Chinese joint. Use it to chase a spoonful of wasabi. Then take a very hot shower. You’ll feel human for hours. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sick-sick-with-ick/33323.md?page=2)