What arose as something that was expected to be an epidemic across the United States has slowly died down into an illness that is talked about no more than the flu or common cold.The hype of the swine flu (scientifically known as the H1N1 Influenza A Virus) began last year when the illness appeared in Mexico.
At the drop of a hat, “swine flu” was all over the news. If one person got it, the whole country seemed to know. When a vaccine to the disease was made, there was a mad rush to the doctors’ offices to sign up for the first shipment. Although some cases were a lot worse than others, many people had the H1N1 virus, but few experienced severe symptoms. Just a few months ago, the number of viruses in the area began to drastically increase; yet it was no longer something that was feared as much as it was a year ago.
From personal experience, the swine flu is far different than what it was portrayed as in the media. If anyone that has had the flu before, the swine flu is the same thing, just more contagious for young citizens, and with an extra word added to the diagnosis. The symptoms last less than a week, and could keep you out of school for two or three days.
News media pays far more attention to how many people have H1N1 and when schools close because of it. Yet having had the swine flu, I think it is safe to say that (at least for me) it was not as bad as it was hyped to be.
The vaccine is strongly recommended, and normal precautions are necessary, too. Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, and keep away from the swine-ridden students, and you should be able to avoid the virus and help prevent it from spreading.
