Be responsible, not hysterical

With school back in session, many are concerned that another outbreak of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, is just around the corner. An outbreak in the New York area in the spring spread fear about this new, unknown disease. Many parents kept their children home from school when cases were confirmed, leading to high absentee rates. Some schools closed entirely.

The symptoms of the virus are fever, cough and sore throat, congestion, body aches, chills and fatigue. But most cases have not been serious, and sufferers have recovered simply with sufficient rest.

So why the fear? The term swine flu sounds pretty scary, and when the first cases occurred, it was an unknown quantity. No one, not even health officials, knew at first how severe the outbreak would be. We soon learned that in terms of symptoms and care, there was little difference between H1N1 and the seasonal flu.

The best ways to prevent the spread of swine flu are the same as those that prevent the spread of the seasonal flu. Practice good hygiene — wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Get plenty of sleep.

If you do experience symptoms, the best advice is to stay home and avoid contact with others. Don’t go to work or run errands. Parents should keep children with symptoms home from school. Remember that H1N1 is highly contagious, and can be spread for up to 24 hours even after a fever subsides.

Local schools have prepared for a possible outbreak, and districts have taken measures to curtail the spread of H1N1 if it does pop up. Schools are stocking up on hand sanitizers and tissues. Teachers are being reminded to instruct their students in proper hygiene. Custodians will be targeting certain areas for extra cleaning, such as bathrooms, faucets and doorknobs. We hope school officials will remain diligent in their efforts to prevent another outbreak.

If everyone practices good hygiene, there should be nothing to worry about. Don’t let fear overwhelm your life, or your children’s. Although they are in the higher-risk category, they still need to be kids. Don’t keep them away from their friends or curtail their favorite activities out of fear that they will get sick.

Parents also have a responsibility to educate their children on how to prevent the spread of the disease. Let them run around and play — and then make sure they wash their hands afterward.

To date, there have been 106 confirmed cases of swine flu in Nassau County, and two deaths. One was a woman in her 20s who had recently given birth. The other was a minor who had a number of other health problems, according to the Nassau County Health Department.

The H1N1 virus is certainly something to be concerned about, and we all must take reasonable measures to prevent catching and spreading the disease. But it is nothing to panic about. Don’t live life in a bubble.