Swine flu not something to squeal about

Last spring, I wondered—should I duct-tape my windows closed? Stock up on drinking water and Powerbars? I held my breath, waiting for this new disease to be the next Black Plague.

The swine flu terror took a bit of a back burner come summer, but never disappeared. The World Health Organization declared the disease a pandemic in June because of its spread.

Over coffee with a close friend, I learned of her summer adventure with swine flu. On a trip to Asia, she was evacuated from the plane upon landing and quarantined in a hospital. She spent that week in a drug-induced lethargy, alternating from crying to sleeping. I asked about paying, and she explained that the hospital would not accept her insurance—the government paid for everything, including the cab fare to the airport. After changing a flight in a foreign language and overpaying a cab driver in currency she didn’t know, she was laughing about the ordeal when we talked, home safe and healthy.

But it left me thinking—how bad is this?

“You can think about it as this is this season’s flu,” said Kim LaPean, communication manager at UC Berkeley University Health Services.

As of Sept. 25, Tang Health Center saw 290 influenza-like illnesses (ILI’s) since the beginning of the school year, a high number for this time of year since flu season began on Oct. 4. Tang does not test for H1N1 (swine flu), but LaPean said that 98-100% of ILI’s in the Bay Area are H1N1. This figure is consistent with US trends, as 99% of all subtyped influenza A viruses reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were H1N1.

Unlike the hospital where my friend stayed, Tang does not advocate seeking a doctor immediately. On their website, University Health Services lists self-care methods as well as steps to take to avoid getting sick, such as washing your hands. To encourage self-care, UC Berkeley faculty were asked not to require doctor’s notes for missed classes.

College students are more susceptible to swine flu because the disease targets people 24 years old and younger. Those who are pregnant or who have chronic medical conditions are also more vulnerable, and Tang advocates that they seek medical attention for any symptoms.

According to the CDC website, a H1N1 vaccine is beginning to be produced. Tang does not have the vaccine, nor any clue when it will arrive.

“As soon as we get the vaccines, we will be scheduling vaccination clinics,” LaPean said.

Until I can sign up for my dose, I can rest easy knowing that horror stories such as my friends are anomalies and the statistics are in my favor. But I’m keeping the Purell handy.