A Massachusetts man who made headlines last week by claiming that he had never had the flu in his entire life has contracted the flu. The man, who asked to remain anonymous, said he started feeling unwell on Monday and went to see his doctor.“I thought it was just a cold or an allergy,” he said. “But then the doctor told me I had the flu. I couldn’t believe it. I was shocked and devastated.”

The man said he has no idea how he got the flu or who gave it to him. “I don’t know anyone who has the flu right now,” he said. “I don’t know where I got it from or when I got it. Maybe it was from a doorknob or a handshake or a sneeze. Maybe it was from a bird or a pig or a bat. Maybe it was from outer space.”

The man said he regrets making his claim public and wishes he had kept it to himself. “I wish I had never said anything,” he said. “I wish I had never bragged about never having the flu. I wish I had never tempted fate.”He added: “Maybe this is karma or punishment or irony. Maybe this is a lesson or a warning or a joke.”

The man said he hopes to recover soon and get back to his normal life. “I hope this is just a mild case and that I’ll be fine in a few days,” he said. “I hope this is the first and last time I ever get the flu.” He also hopes that his story will not discourage others from getting vaccinated and taking precautions against the flu.

“I still think getting vaccinated and washing your hands are important and effective,” he said. “I still think the flu is serious and dangerous. And I still think most people have had it at some point in their lives.” He concluded: “I’m just an unlucky exception who happened to have never had the flu until now.”