[He shrugged, which in itself seemed to just curdle the mucus clinging to the back of his sore throat. He refused to cough from it just yet, he had to remain on top of this, he couldn't let it overcome him.]

From what I know of humans, I doubt most would be so inclined to such- [Pause. He swallowed hard, more from the sticky throat than anything but it couldn't have been any worse-timed. It was just a little ego-bruising, making him sound so unsure of what he was saying.]

-mannerisms whilst dealing with this affliction. Most find it difficult to function at all.

[By that 'affliction' of course, he means the flu that is quite obviously going around.]