Let's be reasonable about swine flu

Just four months ago, reports surfaced about a new illness taking hold in Mexico. Within a week, the swine flu, as it was called, was topping the news in the United States.

As cases among Americans began to be tallied, photos of civilians in surgical masks were a common sight. Schools across the country and in our own suburbs were closed and disinfected.

Vice President Joe Biden said in an interview he would advise his own family not to use subways or take a commercial flight.

When information is scarce, people tend to fear the worst.

It all seems overblown now that we know the mysterious illness, H1N1, is little more than a variation of a seasonal flu that spreads quickly but can be treated successfully.

Or does it? Since April, more than 500 Americans have died - 17 in Illinois. A Kane County man and Northwest suburban woman were among the victims. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was surprised at the swine flu's tenacity over the summer, when flu strains typically fade away. Now it warns that 40 percent of Americans could get it - and 90,000 could die.

The federal government is stepping up efforts to have a vaccine ready by October. So far testing shows favorable results, though it seems that it can't come fast enough. But before anyone starts pushing the panic button, a regimen of prevention and a good dose of common sense will be the best response.

Once the vaccine becomes available in our area, the public interest will not be served if residents adopt a me-first attitude. Those in higher-risk categories should be allowed vaccinations first. The CDC says it's too early to determine exactly who these people are but assumes the list will include those at most risk for seasonal flu: pregnant women, health care workers, adults over 65, children over 6 months, parents of infants and adults with medical conditions.

Since swine flu seems to disproportionally hit school-age children, suburban schools' prevention efforts are laudable. Some have hand-sanitizer dispensers in the hallways, and officials are sending home letters listing symptoms parents should watch for. There's talk of using schools as vaccine centers. In addition, as the Daily Herald's Matt Arado wrote today, schools will send home any student with a fever over 100 degrees, following the latest CDC guidelines.

School officials now are advised not to close unless a large number of students come down with swine flu. Infected students can return to school 24 hours after a fever ends.

These are sensible guidelines.

Though Biden backpedaled on his remarks soon after making them last April, his hasty assessment of the swine flu became a prime example of what not to do when facing a potential crisis. Just as the regular winter flu can become serious, swine flu needs attention - but not a reaction of frenzied alarm.

In the meantime, cover your cough, wash your hands and stay home if you have any symptoms.