I sing in a local chorale. One of our main rules is that members not wear frangrances. At our rehearsal with the symphony, someone showed up late and sat in front of me. I immediately smelled her perfume, and began to get a scratchy throat. I plugged my nose, but pretty hard to do and sing. I finally asked her if she had perfume on and she said she had put it on that morning. This was in the evening. I have never had problems with fragrances. no one else could smell it, but it was very pungeant to me. By the next morning, I didn't have much voice. My throat was clogged. I warmed up slowly, bought some Throat Coat tea, and was able to perform the next night. My husband was sick with a terrible cough at that time. Over the last 4 1/2 years since I have gotten healthy (I lost 75 # and make healthy eating and exercise choices) I have not gotten sick even when exposed to a sick husband, or cared for sick grandchildren. The day after the concert, my throat was still scratchy. And now I am running a fever and have breathing problems. Finally...my question: Could that allergic reaction have made me more susceptible to the sickness around me? It seems more than co-incidental. Pam Williams