Unchosen Path: How a Flu Shot Altered a Teen’s Life”

Published on 11/26/2024
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The Unexpected Choice

Clara stepped out to take a phone call as Leslie prepared the syringe. Emma felt uneasy. “Is this still the flu shot?” she asked hesitantly. Leslie nodded reassuringly, her voice calm. “It’s a little extra protection for your future,” she added cryptically. Trusting her mom’s choice of doctor, Emma complied, wincing as the needle pierced her skin. When Clara returned, Leslie had already finished. “All done!” she chirped, offering Emma a sticker.

 

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A Growing Unease

Weeks passed, and Emma began experiencing strange symptoms. Constant fatigue, nausea, and mood swings plagued her daily life. Clara attributed it to stress from school. “Teenagers are always changing,” she told Emma. However, Emma felt different—something was wrong. Dr. Leslie dismissed their concerns during a follow-up visit, brushing it off as “hormonal shifts.” Her vague response seemed uncharacteristic of the meticulous doctor Clara had trusted for years. Doubts started to fester in Clara’s mind.

 

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