Keeping Swine Flu in Check

Having enjoyed my new life working with the St. Anthony’s community for a little over a month, I got to experience a rite of passage bestowed on all hard working, diligent employees: the sick day. As I spent Friday, as well as a good part of my weekend, huddled on the couch in a pool of cold sweat, tissues, cough syrup and self-pity, friends urged me to go to the doctor as soon as possible as I “probably had swine flu”.

Well yes, I felt like death, had aches and pains, a fever, congestion, the whole 9 yards. Needless to say, I didn’t leave the house for 72 hours. But I did do some research on what I stubbornly maintain is an over-hyped virus…so, let’s talk about swine flu:

According to the CDC, the H1N1 influenza virus was first detected in the United States in April 2009. It’s spread from person-to-person in the same way any other “regular seasonal influenza virus” is spread. It earned the nickname “swine flu” because initial lab tests of the virus showed genetic similarity between the virus and viruses that typically occur in North American pigs. But just how dangerous is it? The CDC puts it best in this comparison of the dreaded swine flu versus our good’ol, plane-jane seasonal flu:

“Each year, in the United States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 are children younger than 5 years old. Over 90% of deaths and about 60 percent of hospitalization occur in people older than 65…So far, with H1N1 flu, the largest number of H1N1 flu confirmed and probable cases have occurred in people between the ages of 5 and 24-years-old. At this time, there are few cases and no deaths reported in people older than 64 years old, which is unusual when compared with seasonal flu.”

Meaning swine flu, pitted against our first-world standard of health and sanitation, has not proved incredibly threatening. Most cases here have been reported among the healthy, younger population who do not have compromised immune systems—which I must say after battling this flu I’ve never been so resentful of falling into that category; but better me than those less physically able to handle the attack.

Where does San Francisco play into all of this? According to the SF Department of Public Health, our first case was back in May. Now as of July 13th, 2009 there have been 44 lab tested, probable cases reported. Not a whole lot. That being said, San Francisco Health Department recently reported a significant increase in flu cases in the previous weeks —the primary suspect? Swine flu. And (myself included) “most people are not being tested because the there’s little doubt about the diagnosis,” says SFDPH. They’re urging people to call the 311 flu information line for advice if they feel sick rather than being out and increasing the risk of infecting others.

Though right now most of the influenza cases in the Bay Area are swine, they’re describing this overall flu pandemic as very mild and not a reason to panic. I’ve never seen a seasonal fad of dust masks being worn in honor of regular flu season, seems a little over enthusiastic for so many people to be wearing then when H1N1 is hardly as severe as the flu we all get shots for every fall. Plus, for all our peace of mind, World Health Organization is currently working on a vaccine that should be available before the end of the year.

I don’t mean to belittle all those who have had the flu—trust me, my weekend was no party—but I do think that the publics needs to tone down the drama. Swine flu may be genetic anomaly in the virus world, but it’s hardly something to be traumatized about. Maybe it’s time to focus our panicky energy elsewhere … how about healthcare budget cuts?