Teens talk about swine flu
The H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu due to its origin in pigs, has been of increasing importance to teens all over the world since it first made headlines.
Since the first reported case, there have been more than 466,000 confirmed infections and nearly 5,000 confirmed deaths, according to flucount.org, with about 45,000 cases and more than 1,000 deaths in the United States alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
These statistics may seem like nothing more than numbers to some teens, but the Erie County Department of Health warns that anyone from 6 months to 24 years old is most at risk of catching the illness. The Health Department recommends that those within this age group consider getting the vaccine, which is administered in two doses three weeks apart either via an injection or a nasal spray.
Amid the recent spate of high absences at area schools, the flurry of information and overabundance of contradictory opinions regarding what President Obama has called “a national emergency,” many teens seem to be unfazed.
When asked if he considered the virus a serious threat, Chris Santone, a junior at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, replied, “Not really. It’s not as harmful as the regular flu, though it does spread more rapidly.”
Other teens trust in the ability of the world’s doctors and scientists to control the situation.
“I really don’t think it’s that big of a deal,” said Rachel McIntosh, a senior at Kenmore West. “With all the technology and research we have, it’s an easy fix.”
Paul Tronolone, a junior at St. Joe’s, agrees. “I don’t think you have to worry about it as much as we did when it first came out because there’s so much medicine to treat the condition now.”
However, some would say the Western New York community isn’t worried enough.
“I don’t think we’re realizing the severity of what’s going on,” said Molly Majer, a registered nurse from North Buffalo. “I don’t think we are panicking enough here because we aren’t seeing as much as the rest of the country is.”
According to Majer, part of this can be attributed to warmer weather. When the temperatures drop and people retreat indoors, the virus will spread more quickly.
As for the vaccine, Majer is a supporter. “I think that the seasonal flu vaccine for most of us is fine.”
In regard to staying healthy, the timeless guidelines remain.
“Like everything else, you should use good, universal precautions,” says Majer.
Despite the recommendations by the Erie County Health Department, many remain skeptical of the controversial H1N1 vaccine.
Michael Hoodmaker, father of four girls within the “at risk” range, questions both the supposed danger of the virus and the long-term effects of the vaccine.
“The number of people who are seriously affected is a small percentage of the population,” says Hoodmaker, whose daughters range in age from 12 to 19. “I don’t agree with the vaccines. I think they are creating the super-viruses.”
Others are more concerned about the possibility of mercury toxicity resulting from the use of Thiomersal, a compound used to prevent bacterial and fungal growth in some vaccines, including the H1N1 vaccine. Though the compound does contain mercury, according to the World Health Organization, there is currently no evidence of mercury toxicity in those who have been exposed to the compound, which has been in use since the 1930s.
Michael George, whose three children, ages 6 (twins) and 8, all experienced what doctors believed to be the swine flu.
“They don’t really know what they’re looking for. The common thread for all of these cases is a temperature that peaks and then declines and peaks and then declines,” George said. Aspirin or other fever-controlling medications only work briefly, and then the temperature begins to rise again.
“We kept them out of school and had them drink plenty of fluids and did everything the doctors recommended,” said George. “Now, if it comes again, they will have a natural resistance.”
George says he and his wife, Patricia, would have gotten their children vaccinated if they hadn’t already contracted the virus.
“Everything that we’ve read says that the vaccine is safe, that it went through more clinical tests than the seasonal flu does every year,” he said.
As to whether the H1N1 virus is a pandemic or a just another topic of conversation, George says, “We won’t really know until it’s run its course.”
For an amusing refresher on the age-old guidelines for preventing the spread of infections, check out the H1N1 Rap by Dr. John D. Clarke on YouTube.
Aidan Ryan is a junior at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute.
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