plastic tubes and pots and pans
This morning, I got vaccinated against that darned persistent illness-causing seasonal virus.
Even better, I did it (duhn duhn duhhhhn) ... for SCIENCE!
And even better, I'm getting paid for it!
A few months ago, I finished with the Herpevac trial that I'd started back in 2006. [brief update; trial is now closed; finishing up testing; should be done by end of 2008; results look great] I'd been doing it through PPR, a research clinic near Pittsburgh, and really enjoyed my time there. The doctors were all pleasant and fun to be around. And the money was nice, too. So when it ended, I asked about what other things I could do, and Dr K. suggested a flu vaccine trial they were running this winter. Because, hey, science! Experimenting on myself! For money!
This test is a very simple, short one, that will be studying a preference for a standard flu vaccine administered intramuscularly versus intradermally. After a brief questionnaire, and a pregnancy test, I got a shot in each arm. They had me turn my head so I couldn't see which one was going where, but I'm almost positive I could tell what one each was immediately on injection (they both hurt briefly, but in different ways, and my right had that distinct "muscle burn" during injection).
So then I get to monitor temperature, appearance, and general details for a week, then trade in results for another small check. Not bad.
The downside is, I got a flu vaccine. And this, I'm betting, is therefore almost certainly responsible for the sudden, violent shivering attack and mild aches that descended on me a couple hours ago (although no fever, according to this study-approved thermometer, and I'm not feeling much in the way of general malaise; just very, very, cold). Some soaking in steaming water helped greatly for the time I was there, but didn't last.
Tonight is totally getting extra sleep and extra blankets, and hopefully a kittywarmer. I fully expect to feel all better soon.
Even better, I did it (duhn duhn duhhhhn) ... for SCIENCE!
And even better, I'm getting paid for it!
A few months ago, I finished with the Herpevac trial that I'd started back in 2006. [brief update; trial is now closed; finishing up testing; should be done by end of 2008; results look great] I'd been doing it through PPR, a research clinic near Pittsburgh, and really enjoyed my time there. The doctors were all pleasant and fun to be around. And the money was nice, too. So when it ended, I asked about what other things I could do, and Dr K. suggested a flu vaccine trial they were running this winter. Because, hey, science! Experimenting on myself! For money!
This test is a very simple, short one, that will be studying a preference for a standard flu vaccine administered intramuscularly versus intradermally. After a brief questionnaire, and a pregnancy test, I got a shot in each arm. They had me turn my head so I couldn't see which one was going where, but I'm almost positive I could tell what one each was immediately on injection (they both hurt briefly, but in different ways, and my right had that distinct "muscle burn" during injection).
So then I get to monitor temperature, appearance, and general details for a week, then trade in results for another small check. Not bad.
The downside is, I got a flu vaccine. And this, I'm betting, is therefore almost certainly responsible for the sudden, violent shivering attack and mild aches that descended on me a couple hours ago (although no fever, according to this study-approved thermometer, and I'm not feeling much in the way of general malaise; just very, very, cold). Some soaking in steaming water helped greatly for the time I was there, but didn't last.
Tonight is totally getting extra sleep and extra blankets, and hopefully a kittywarmer. I fully expect to feel all better soon.