The spread of the H1N1 flu (“swine flu”) has been one of the largest news stories of 2009. It’s been spread on the internet, TV, radio, and print, and is one of the more pervasive news topics. There’s been much discussion about whether or not this could be one of the “big ones,” or if it’s any worse than the usual seasonal flu. And while I’m not an expert on this topic, I can provide my opinions and a few references to things that I’ve read about it.

One of the first things that I’d like to point out is that H1N1 is not as fatal as the media may have made it seem. If you’ve seen any news stories on the virus, it’s easy to imagine that it’s a pretty serious killer. And the number of deaths in the United States—almost 1700—does sound like a lot. And it is; but it’s also important to realize that there have been over 66,000 confirmed cases in the country. This means that it’s only fatal to two or three people per hundred that contract it. And many of these people have underlying conditions, such as suppressed immune systems. In fact, according to the CDC, “About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with this 2009 H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at “high risk” of serious seasonal flu-related complications.” (CDC) I don’t mean to say that it’s not a serious thing. It is. But I think many people have overstated the severity of the situation.

As a college student, you should have a decently strong immune system. You’re young, and hopefully you take pretty good care of yourself, so you’re at an advantage already. If you take some extra precautions, you should have no problem avoiding the flu—and if you do contract, you should be able to expect a reasonably speedy recovery.

There are many things that you can do to prevent your exposure to the virus, but staying away from people that are sick is probably the most effective one. If one of your friends hasn’t been feeling well for a couple days, don’t go over to her dorm to study. If you notice that someone in one of your classes is sick, try not to sit next to him (this isn’t always an option, and you don’t want to embarrass the person, but there are subtle ways to add a little distance). Also, if you get sick, follow the CDC guidelines for avoiding getting other people sick.

Other than avoiding contact, you can also make an extra effort to practice healthy habits. Get enough sleep every night so your body has the energy to maintain its immune function. Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables so your body has the tools it needs to fight off infections. Basically, do all of the things that your health teachers have been telling you to do for the past twelve years or so.

In conclusion, I say that you don’t need to be afraid of H1N1. Aware? Cautious? Sure. But don’t get caught up in all the hype. It’ll just cause more stress, which I’m sure you don’t need any more of (especially as the semester is coming to a close).

As always, if you have any questions, comments or funny stories you'd like me to share about college or the blog, email me at stu@stuvu.com