It all started with general discomfort, a high fever, and a fatigue that forced me to spend most of my time lying down. But the real problem came a couple of days later: small red spots began to appear on my skin, and they quickly turned into fluid-filled blisters. These eruptions spread rapidly all over my body, including my scalp and, to my discomfort, even inside my mouth.

The itching was unbearable, and although my mother warned me not to scratch, it was hard to resist the temptation. I remember being bathed with leaves from a tree to relieve the irritation and having lotion applied to soothe the discomfort. Chickenpox not only affected me physically but also isolated me for weeks, as it was contagious. It was a tough experience, but fortunately, I recovered without complications.

The symptoms quickly got worse:

• Red eyes: I looked like a vampire just out of bed.

• Itching and burning: I couldn’t stop rubbing my eyes, which only made it worse.

• Light sensitivity: The sun became my enemy; I went out to recess squinting like I was in a desert without sunglasses.

• Sticky discharge: I had to clean that gunk off my lashes constantly.

Conjunctivitis mainly affected my eyes, but it also hurt my mood. My friends looked at me suspiciously, and some avoided sitting near me for fear of catching it. They were right: my teacher sent me home that same day. It was a week of antibiotic eye drops, warm compresses, and forced isolation.

When I was 10 years old, just as the Easter break began, I was hit by a terrible flu. It all started with a sneeze I ignored, but by the next day, I was wrapped in blankets with a fever.

The symptoms were like an unstoppable combo:

• Nasal congestion: It felt like I had cotton plugs in my nose; breathing became a challenge.

• Sore throat: Every sip of water felt like swallowing a cactus.

• Fever: I alternated between shivering with cold and sweating as if I were in a sauna.

• Persistent cough: I sounded like I had a small, faulty engine in my chest.

The flu affected my nose, throat, and lungs, but also drained all my energy. I couldn’t play, go out, or even read because the headache was too much to bear. My mom made me soups, lemon tea with honey, and lots of hot compresses. Though it was a terrible experience, I’ll always remember my family’s patience in taking care of me.

Despite how uncomfortable those illnesses were, I learned to value my health and rest. Today, I never underestimate the importance of washing my hands and taking care of my bod.

What parts of my body were affected?

Gastritis mainly affects the stomach and esophagus. In my case, the pain extended to my back, and I felt a general discomfort in my abdomen.

Symptoms I experienced:

• Burning and pain in the stomach.

• Occasional nausea.

• Loss of appetite.

• Heartburn that worsened after eating greasy or spicy foods.

I remember my mom took me to the doctor, who said the gastritis might have been caused by stress or the food I was eating at the school cafeteria. From that moment on, I changed my diet: less junk food and more fruits, and I avoided sodas. I learned that my body needed care and that I couldn’t ignore the warning signs.

Symptoms

• Appearance of small blisters: They tend to group together.

• Intense itching: It may precede or accompany the appearance of blisters.

• Dry and flaky skin: After the blisters dry, the skin may crack or peel.

Affected Body Parts

• Hands: The most affected areas are the palms and fingers, especially the sides of the fingers.

  
  

• Feet: It usually affects the soles and edges of the feet.

  
  

• Fingers and nails: In some cases, it can spread around the nails, which can cause inflammation or changes in their appearance.