What’s up with the swine flu?

Allegedly, it’s bound to strike this fall and mankind may not be ready.

But some say the swine flu, now known as H1N1, isn’t anywhere near as bad as it was made out to be. Naysayers dismiss the earlier scare as an example of sensational and irresponsible media coverage rather than a precursor to a bona fide viral threat comparable to the outbreak in 1918 of the Spanish flu.

Reportedly, the handful of pharmaceuticals that can manufacture a feasible inoculation have to choose between which shots to prep – ones for the swine flu, which is a hybrid of swine, avian and human strains, or for the regular old version. But limited resources mean they can’t produce both.

And unless the distribution of the vaccination is steadily supplied to the whole population, the point of having a mass immunization is pointless.

The Spanish Flu killed anywhere from 50 to 100 million people and a third of the world was exposed to that particular strain of influenza. What havoc would a modern day pandemic spawn?

The Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) website gives folks a decent amount of information about the swine flu, including who’s most susceptible and what’s being done about a vaccine.

Interestingly, the age bracket for college students (18 to 24) is not listed. Children and adolescents aged five to 18 with chronic health problems are advised to get vaccinated and so are people aged 25 to 64.

The good news for us is that the only two cases reported in Isla Vista during the springtime scare were only minor cases, treated and promptly released, according to a press release by the UCSB Chancellor’s office.

City College doesn’t have an infirmary to tend scores of inflicted co-eds. Of course, it doesn’t have dormitory living either. So, if the swine flu were to hit, all of Isla Vista would essentially become quarantined. It would be up to you to take care of yourself and to take the time to rest and recover, despite whatever school you might miss.

Several schools back east have taken precautions and contacted first time and returning students over the summer about how to stay healthy and what the school would do in the event of an outbreak.

City College made no such statements. But to be fair, due to the fact they don’t maintain living quarters, they are to an extent, well…immune from browbeating about not having done so.

However, City College will have flu vaccines available here on campus. As soon as they get the word as to when the stuff ships, the student body will be informed.

So is it worth freaking out? Probably not. Once again, most cases will run their course and clear up with the risk of complications more of a concern for those with pre-existing health conditions. The real impact will be seen in just how many individuals will be struck at the same time. And researchers still aren’t in agreement over whether or not this season’s N1H1 will behave as its predecessor did in the spring.

In the meantime, take good care of yourself. Attempt to maintain a relatively clean home and visit the CDC website for answers to any questions.

Above all, remain calm, study hard, and definitely rethink spending your weekends playing beer-pong.