Computers Made Me Sick!

..or  it could of been the germs that were hiding on the surface of an unknown conspirator laptop sitting on my work bench..

Im sitting here on my couch, on a Saturday morning, shaking, freezing and sweating at the same time, throat is swollen and sore, and my head is pounding without mercy.

Forget the fact that I can barely move.

With this in mind, and what I learned the past two days, between two different hospitals,  I figured I would share with everyone else.

I handle folks computers on a constant, daily basis.  Part of that process includes physically cleaning them, before they leave my shop.  That  entails ample amounts of cleaning solution and my best friend Rubbing Alcohol.

Afterwards, I normally take a Rubbing Alcohol Wipe,and clean my hands with it, and move on to the next project.

Well this past Thursday, the alarm went off at 6:ooam, and I lurch myself out of bed, only to find my left leg/hip, just did not feel like supporting my weight, and I did some impressive acrobatics to keep myself from hitting the deck.

Of course I laughed at this, and thought nothing of it, thinking  I merely slept at some odd angle during the night. My hip and leg were sore, but no matter. Off into the shop I go.

Within three hours, the pain had amplified and also spread to the nether region, which without to much detail, and for simplification, it was as if I was getting kicked with steel toed boots.

Ok odd. Ill just throw another Motrin in, and continue about my day.
Within an hour, I was struggling to walk to the front of my office, and it took extreme efforts, to carry PC towers back into my work area.

..obviously at this point I knew something was wrong. But being the stubborn Taurus that I am, continued on.

By mid afternoon,  the pain had spread to my rib cage, and then to my left shoulder and arm.

At this point I let my wife know that I was in some serious pain. Looking for pity, or just suggestions, I don’t know. ( haha ).

At her insistence, I went to the ER at the local hospital. I describe the pain and hobbled my way, to the best of my ability to the exam room. Within minutes, it was pronounced that I had pulled some muscles most likely, and was just sore.

Mind you, im not nearly as athletic as I once was, nor as I should be. And being a computer guy, usually does not involve serious weight lifting.

The random all body pain, just couldnt be some sore muscles. Regardless, I went home, and laid on the couch, my wife, of course had to help me out of the car and into the house, because I could barely move.

By midnight, I was in severe pain, and my chest  started hurting. The  wife insisted that she take me to the hospital in Dover. Naturally I refused all such notions and was going to fight this one out myself!

Around 4am, I find my wife hovering over me, trying to ask me questions, and trying to encourage me to drink some ice water. Apparently I was groaning, followed by spasmatic shaking and mild screaming while I was sleeping.

I was quickly back asleep. When the  alarm went off, I hobbled to the shower, and quickly was comforted by scalding hot water. When I was out, I felt sore, but felt alot better.

So off to work I went. Within hours. the pain started again, and eventually I could barely walk. By this time the wife was frantically concerned, and off to the hospital in Dover.

Within minutes I had an IV in, and pain medications coursing through my body. X-Rayed, Poked and Prodded. Within 2 hours, the doctor arrived in the room I as in, and asked me a series of questions.

” Are you often around people? ”

Of course. I get to be in contact with dozens of folks a day.

” Do you handle alot of other peoples stuff?”

Of course. I work on computers!

Within moments, the doctor told me that I had a serious viral infection, and he would bet anything, that I picked it up from someones laptop.

I clean and disinfect every machine that enters my office, but apparently one slipped through.

Laptops are manipulated by hands. So someone,somewhere, was sick at some point, and the germs found a home somewhere within the keyboard of one of these laptops I was repairing.

Now I lay here on my couch, partially in a sickness induced daze, while my office is being disinfected and deep cleaned, and every machine re-cleaned with germicidal cleaning solution (Just to be safe).

The moral of this story is this. If you or anyone in your house hold becomes ill, the items that came in contact with, should be disinfected and cleaned.

a joke of this story is…my computer gave me a virus. I suppose only the geek minded of you might find that funny. I do.

So a lesson learned, clean the surfaces of items that came in contact with someone who is sick in your household. Which could be any thing.  Keyboards, Mice, any kind of phone, TV remotes. Anything can harbor germs and viruses.

Failure to do this, and the chance that one of those bugs slip through your defenses, you could end up like me, stuck inside, immobile on a beautiful, breezy Saturday.   =(

On a side note, I want to thank all the phone calls I have recieved. Six of which were from folks I have done work for. Your concern and support was unexpected, yet much appreciated, and I thank you.

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Larry Bertolino is a 29 year old, U.S Navy Veteran, and the owner of myLocalPCpro which is located in Cadiz, Ohio. He is also member of the American Legion, The Cadiz Business Association and a member of the Tappan Lake Volunteer Fire Department. Find mylocalpcpro on Facebook