Real talk: You can’t escape the incubation clock. But you can be smart. If you know you’ve been exposed, pay attention to your body. Don’t shake everyone’s hand at the office the next day. Be a little paranoid—it’s better than being a vector of disaster.
Wash your hands like you just touched a raw chicken. Avoid touching your face. Your face is a welcome mat for the virus. And for the love of all that is holy, stay home if you feel that first tickle. You are not a martyr; you are a biohazard.
The flu is a sneaky little beast, but knowledge is power. When you wake up with that familiar ache, you can nod wisely and say, “Ah, yes. The incubation period is over. Let the games begin.” Then you shuffle to the kitchen, make tea, and accept your fate with humor and a box of tissues.
