In my neck of the woods, children began returning to school last week. Indeed, I would guess by the end of this week, all kids in the U.S. and Canada will be back in their classrooms, leaving behind relieved parents and lonesome little brothers and sisters.
Included in the "return" of course, are college students who live in close proximity to each other, in dorms and apartments. Their parents are just as relieved, perhaps even more so... except...
This year, returning to school, seems to be met with a trepidation not seen in prior years... yes... that big question about how safe our children are -- how likely are they to catch the H1N1 swine flu? It's much easier to transmit a contagious disease in closer quarters like classrooms and dorms. Roommates and family members are all at risk.
I spent the weekend with my sister, a second grade teacher. She told me that in her school district, there isn't much fear. Yes, they are emphasizing hand washing, but not so much the sanitizing. But no, they aren't panicking.
The H1N1 swine flu vaccine will be available by mid-October, and because children and younger people seem to be most at risk, they (and the adults who work directly with them) will be first in line to get that vaccine, along with pregnant women.
The one bright note is that the Southern Hemisphere has already gone through a winter of swine flu (because, as you know, our seasons above and below the equator are opposite each other) with NO H1N1 swine flu vaccine -- and authorities found it to be much less problematic than they expected.
Despite prevention measures, the World Health Organization believes that about one-third the world population will catch the H1N1 swine flu over the next couple of years.... and yes, perhaps millions will die from it.
All in all, it seems like we all have a responsibility to be smart about the probability of catching the swine flu. We don't have to panic, we don't need to be afraid. We need to plan for it.
Why not just assume that your whole family will get sick with the swine flu?
There are a dozen things you can do to prepare, from making sure you've got plenty of aspirin or Tylenol and chicken soup in the house, to knowing how long to keep yourself or your children home from work or school.
In fact, I have put together a step-by-step list of questions and ideas - a guideline to help you prepare for when the swine flu happens to you.
If you plan for it and it happens? Then the fact that you are so well prepared will help you rest up and get back on your feet quicker. Less stress means may mean faster healing.
If you plan for it and it doesn't happen? Great! You certainly won't have lost anything at all.
So often our fears are of the unknown. Granted, this flu is relatively unknown. But preparing ahead of time will help you feel more in control.
Do you have even more suggestions for preparing for the H1N1 swine flu? Why not tell us more about them in the patient empowerment forum?
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