We get runny noses here

Influenza mostly gets spread when people (in cold climes esp.) wipe their runny noses, then grab door knobs and public surfaces and other people touch those surfaces. Then we get on a plane and spread that to other, sometimes warmer, places.

Just bringing that up because my old pal and former Wildstorm editor Scott has had the flu for about a month. He lives outside San Diego, which is warm. I knew a month ago he was sick, but I'd just assumed he'd be feeling better by now.

Send him your best wishes and prayers, especially if you enjoyed any WS or ABC books over the last few years.

For anyone else out there feeling sick, sending out my prayers and best wishes that you feel better soon. And here's some technical background on why you're supposed to keep warm, drink fluids, and get fresh air if you have the flu:

In fact, [fever] may serve an important purpose- most bacteria and viruses that infect humans find it hard to replicate at higher than normal human body temperatures. The main danger from fever is rapid dehydration- the human body uses twice as much water with every degree of temperature rise. Because of this, most physicians now recommend that we balance the risks and benefits of fever by only treating and attempting to reduce fevers greater than 101 degrees F, 38.33 degrees C.

Fever can increase the need for oxygen. Oxygen requirements increase 7 percent for every 1 degree F increase in body temperature over 98.6 degrees F. For example if a fever is 103.6 degrees F (39.77 degrees C) there is a 35 percent increase in the body’s need for oxygen.