Zachary Lang

A Healthy, Active College Student

 

19-year-old Zach, a student at Indiana University, thought he had the flu under control last January. An athlete and former collegiate wrestler, he prided himself on his strength, fitness, and stamina. Like many young, healthy people, he assumed his active lifestyle would help him fight off any illness.

 

It’s Not “Just the Flu” – A Rapid Turn for the Worse

 

What started as something Zach assumed to be a common cold spiraled into something far more serious. Within days, Zach began feeling weaker and more exhausted. Severe nausea and body aches sent him to the emergency room, where tests revealed he had Influenza A and dangerously high creatine kinase (CK) levels—a sign of muscle breakdown. Overexertion combined with the flu created what he called “the perfect storm,” landing him in the hospital for three days while doctors worked to protect his kidneys.

 

“The sickest I’ve ever been in my life,” Zach recalled. “Every muscle ached. Even lifting my head was exhausting. I could barely keep my eyes open. I don’t even remember parts of it—just the pain and being completely drained.”

 

The Road to Recovery

 

Zach’s parents, living two hours away, rushed to be by his side, while friends and his girlfriend helped get him to the hospital. Their support made the ordeal more bearable.

 

Even after discharge, recovery was slow. It took about a month for him to feel like himself again. School, work, and daily life became challenges as he slowly regained strength. 

 

The experience gave him a new perspective on the seriousness of the flu.

 

Lessons Learned About Vaccines and Health

 

Zach had always kept up with his vaccinations, partly due to athletic requirements and partly because he valued prevention. After his hospitalization, he became even more aware that vaccines aren’t just for older adults or people with chronic conditions—they’re essential for young, healthy individuals too.

 

“You can look your best and feel your best, but sometimes your body just isn’t at its best,” he said. “Vaccines and boosters protect you and the people around you. Being in shape doesn’t make you untouchable.”

 

He hopes athletes, in particular, take this message seriously. Many of his peers dismissed flu prevention, believing that physical fitness alone could protect them. Zach’s experience proved otherwise: health isn’t just strength or appearance—it’s resilience at the cellular level.

 

Advice for Young People and Athletes

 

Now back to class and fully recovered, Zach urges others to:

• Prioritize rest when sick
  
• Stay home and hydrated
  
• Keep up to date on flu shots and other recommended vaccines

 

Zach’s story is a powerful reminder that the flu isn’t always mild. For young people balancing school, sports, and social life, prevention is far easier—and far safer—than recovery.