I think it's just to get them to shut the fuck up about their measily little ailments. We middle class, working young-to-middle-age people have to pay the price .
Oh shit...that's horrible...I don't want to get old.
Times like this I'm glad the flu doesn't knock me off my keister like it does most others. I just get the sniffles and a cough while lots of others are like walking death.
I must be doing SOMETHING right (eats more Cheerios)...