May 14, 2009

Editorial

No one in South Boston has to be told that we just had a brush with what is known as “The Swine Flu”.  Terms such as “pandemic” popped up, as the alert level rose to “imminent”, which is next to the topmost designation of severity.  Schools, businesses, organizations, and government agencies prepared for the worst, which meant a complete shutdown in some instances.

The first two confirmed cases in Massachusetts were in Lowell.  Another suspected case occurred in Brockton.  Then, individual small outbreaks occurred at both BU and Harvard Dental Schools, but are probably not connected to each other.  So far, just over 100 cases have been reported in Massachusetts.  All of these are recovering.

South Boston Online received an e-mail from the Academy of Notre Dame (Tyngsboro) announcing that the Academy was shutting down for the week of May 4 to 8.  An alert doctor had spotted swine flu symptoms in one of the Academy’s students.  The Academy’s President, Dr. Karen Juliano, took immediate action, justifying her decision to shut down by stating, “The health and well-being of our students, teachers, staff, and community are our top priority.”

In the meantime, sporadic news reports have begun surfacing that “the worst is over”.  It appears that the Swine Flu is not as dangerous as originally thought, in part due to swift preventive measures, and in part, because its symptoms are similar to normal flu – severe, but usually not life-threatening.

Were the precautions and publicity about Swine Flu some sort of over-reaction by governments, the CDC (Center for Disease Control), and WHO (the World Health Organization)?  Not really.

First, it has to be understood that the world still experiences “pandemics”.  Three were actually going on before the outbreak of Swine Flu – malaria, AIDS, and tuberculosis.  In addition, we experienced flu pandemics in 1958 and 1967 that claimed over a million lives each.  With modern communications and medicine, we’ve learned to deal with diseases better – before they become pandemics, in other words – but we still must be extremely careful.  Why?  Because Swine Flu may come back next winter.  It’s a disease of cold dry weather.  Start good hygiene habits now, in advance of flu season in the fall.

Humans have contracted swine flu directly from pigs before, but the virus didn’t jump between humans, so it could not spread.  The current Swine Flu, also known as “A/H1N1” virus, apparently mutated so that it could travel from human to human.   There are still many questions about it, including its transmission path, its fatality rate, and the length of its incubation period. 

Swine Flu is a new organism.  We must answer these questions before we can relax and treat Swine Flu the same as we treat ordinary flu.  Please take care of yourself and those around you.

What can be done locally in South Boston?  Plenty.

The most effective single step you can take is to wash your hands very frequently, especially around mealtimes, when your hands will touch your mouth.  The next time you see her, kiss your mother and tell her how right she was when she always insisted that you to “wash up” before dinner.  Alcohol-based hand cleaners are very effective.

When you cough or sneeze, try to cover your mouth in some way, but don’t use your hands.  Probably, the Swine Flu is transmitted by saliva, which your hands can spread to doorknobs, cell phones, keyboards, and so on.  As gross as this sounds, it’s better to sneeze or cough into your clothes instead of your hands.  Give those around you a break.

If you get flu-like symptoms (fever, coughing, aching joints/muscles, headache, running nose, headache), please stay home until they go away.  It may just be the normal type of flu, but even if it is, you still don’t want infect others (even normal flu can be serious).  Let your doctor decide whether you have the Swine Flu.  Your doctor can also prescribe anti-viral medicines for you as well, such as Relenza and Tamiflu. 

Since children appear to be most affected by Swine Flu, be extra vigilant when they get flu symptoms.  And once again, except for trips to see the doctor, keep the kids home until the symptoms go away.

Even if the Swine Flu hits your immediate neighborhood, there are many common sense steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.  Like, “all of the above”.  Just use your common sense, and you and yours will be fine.