H1N1 awareness event off after Bean's daughter gets swine flu

Swine flu is hitting close to home for Rep. Melissa Bean, who canceled a public event on the subject Monday to take care of her flu-stricken daughter and husband.

Bean's 16-year-old daughter, a student at Barrington High School, came down with the flu Saturday, and was taken to an emergency room that night with vomiting and a fever of 103 degrees.

She tested positive for Type A influenza, but health officials no longer typically test for the H1N1 strain known as swine flu. Because it's too early for typical seasonal flu to circulate, officials believe most flu circulating now is H1N1.

She was sent home and is taking medication, but felt worse Monday, Bean spokesman Jonathan Lipman said, so Bean stayed home in Barrington to care for her.

Bean's husband Alan first got sick with flu symptoms last week, but did not go to a hospital for it and was feeling better Monday.

Bean canceled a scheduled presentation on avoiding H1N1 with Dr. Damon Arnold, the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, at Eisenhower Junior High School in Hoffman Estates.

Because Bean has likely been exposed to the H1N1 virus, Dr. Arnold advised her not to risk exposing the children at the school.

"It's pretty scary," Lipman said. "She's as tough as nails, but she's a mom like any other mom. She's watching her daughter like a hawk."

Bean, who also canceled public events Sunday, is a key swing vote in proposals for health care reform, and has taken heat from both sides of the debate. Those opposed to a government-funded health insurance option have criticized her for ducking them. Supporters of the public option delayed a planned protest at Bean's office in Schaumburg from Tuesday until next week.