Oct. 20 Daily News editorial

The level of public anxiety over the swine flu pandemic has tended to rise or fall in recent months, depending on the latest headlines. After a relatively quiet summer, popular fears are again on the rise — driven by news of the officially named 2009 H1N1 strain’s early resurgence and the vulnerability of young children and teenagers.

Tragically, 86 children and adolescents have died of the swine flu in the United States since the virus was first identified last spring. Half of those deaths have occurred since September. Eleven of them were reported just this past weekend.

Delays in the manufacture and shipment of the swine flu vaccine have helped fuel the growing public concern. States may not receive full shipments of the H1N1 vaccine until next month, according to Associated Press medical writer Lauran Neergaard. Some swine flu vaccine arrived in Cowlitz County early this month. That first shipment was to go to health care workers and first responders. Next in line are children. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised the public to be patient, saying there soon will be enough H1N1 vaccine available for all who want it.

Both the CDC and local health care workers have dispensed some common-sense advice. It boils down to not panicking and taking sensible precautions, such as getting an H1N1 vaccination, washing your hands regularly and staying home if you come down with a fever. Panic can lead to some not-so-sensible choices.

Late last month, St. John Medical Center reported having about 30 people show up at the emergency room with flu-like symptoms in a 24-hour period. The emergency room is the last place you need to be, unless you were experiencing some fairly severe symptoms. As the manager of the hospital’s emergency department, Andrew Robottom, told Daily News Reporter Cheryll A. Borgaard, “If you don’t have the flu, you’ve just come to the place where you’re most likely to catch it.”

For the overwhelming majority of people, contracting the swine flu is no reason to visit a hospital emergency. Contrary to early fears, the H1N1 virus has not mutated into a harsher strain. Most people can recover without a trip to the doctor or the hospital. They can expect to experience symptoms no worse than those associated with a seasonal flu. Indeed, had the H1N1 strain been identified earlier, there would have been no need for two vaccinations — one against H1N1 and one against the seasonal flu. The two would likely have been combined.

The swine flu has dangerous potential for some, of course. All flu has dangerous potential, and must be taken seriously. Regular seasonal flu claims the lives of about 36,000 Americans a year. This swine flu is different in that it affects the young more than those 60 and older. But there is no cause for alarm. Just get an H1N1 vaccination when it’s available, following the good hygiene advice of health professionals and, should you become ill, stay home to avoid infecting others.