Swine Flu Strikes

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October 22, 2009 • written by Kaylee Tornay

There is a dark and sinister presence that lurks in the back of everyone’s minds- the constant fear of coming down with swine flu. Two small words don’t often have the ability to strike such fear into people’s hearts, but after months of media propaganda, horror stories, and exaggerated statistics and figures, the average person can only do so much to avoid switching into panic mode. Most students have heard parents stress and nail- bite over this subject before. Many laugh and dismiss the behavior as typical parental expression of diluted hysteria. However, some realize the risk and try to take steps to avoid getting infected. But, and this targets both of these groups, how well informed is the average student? It seems that many students think of swine flu as that H1N1 whats-it that seems to have paralyzed the country in a state of alarm, and makes people sniffle and stay home from school. And what is the real thing? You’re about to find out.

Swine flu is a flu virus, that is, under normal circumstances, found in pigs. It spreads to humans occasionally, when it mutates into a catching form for people. When that happens, it is cause for worry, because this is a very contagious disease, and humans have very little to no immunity to it. It is also tough and costly to treat.

This is one of the rare occasions when the swine flu virus has mutated into a problematic virus for humans, and the media has pounced- it’s a brilliant opportunity for a story to keep their audience breathless, on the edge of their seats, waiting for the solution to this latest catastrophe.

Swine flu is passed from person to person very easily. That is the most prominent cause for cases in America. And although it can spread from pigs to people, and vice versa, that’s live pigs, not dead ones. You cannot become infected with H1N1 by eating pork, or any other pig meat products. A person may get the virus by breathing in air that an infected person has just sneezed or coughed into. Also, contact with a tainted surface, followed by contact with the mouth or eyes, can transmit the disease from one person to another.

So, what can one do to protect himself or herself from the evil virus harming so many people? Surgical masks are not recommended for those not infected. Full body encasements and sterilized bubbles will probably protect you, but, well, we hope that’s not one of your top choices. Washing your hands regularly and diligently does help a great deal, but in no way does it prevent the disease. Although some viruses are spread through hand contact, H1N1 is not one of those. It is much more commonly transmitted through air particles. So, for infected individuals: cover your mouth with your elbow when you cough and/or sneeze, and if you feel as though you may have the virus, stay home from school.

So how do you know if you have the nightmare flu? Here are the major symptoms of H1N1:

A fever above 100.4 ºF

Headache
Chills
Cough or sore throat
Muscle Aches
Diarrhea
Vomiting

The majority of people who come down with swine flu will be able to recover without getting professional medical aid. But a doctor will be able to prescribe antiviral drugs to treat people who become very sick with the flu or are at high risk for flu complications.

Another option for swine flu prevention is vaccination. The vaccine is being shipped to hospitals as you read this. Although it does help, some people have mild to serious reactions to the flu vaccine. Also, if you are allergic to eggs, you should steer clear of the vaccine, because it is grown in eggs. But it can lower your chances of infection, so it is an option that you may want to ask your parents to look into.

So, you see the situation as you will. Maybe now you won’t leave the house for fear of getting infected. Perhaps you won’t even look at a pig, or have banned the word from your household. But awareness of the disease is important, and maybe now you will take more steps to protect yourself. Buy some hand sanitizer to keep in your binder. If your best friend is sick, avoid physical contact with them. Swine flu may not be the black plague of modern day, but it is still a threat. It is good to protect yourself- although you may want to avoid the personal, germ- free bubble.