When I wake up the next morning I feel worse than ever. All my joints and muscles are in agony, my mouth is full of sores, and there are mysterious lumps and discolorations all over my body. Alarmed, I go see my doctor again, but he assures me that I'm fine and have nothing to worry about.

My family is similarly unconcerned. My mother tells me it happens all the time to lots of people. It's no fun but it's not the end of the world. You just have to wait it out.

I am baffled. I have never heard of any of this before, and had no idea it was supposed to be common knowledge. Everyone assures me it's normal