Waking up with a fever, body aches, a sore throat and nausea may seem like another day of cough medicine and Tylenol is ahead of you, but you may also unknowingly be carrying the swine flu virus, also known as H1N1.

“I thought I had the flu; all the symptoms were the same but when I went to the doctor they did a swine flu test and claimed that it was 98% swine flu positive,” said senior Rachel Pike.

Since the new wave of swine influenza, which was first detected in Mexico in April 2009, its quick distribution has been massive.

“The media made it such a big issue, and even though we definitely need to be aware of it, it is not as big of a problem as it is made out to be. And it is definitely not comparable to avian flu (bird flu) from 2004,” said Debra Minagil, RN, the nurse at SVHS.

H1N1 flu (swine flu) is given such a name because the laboratory findings showed that the genes in this new virus were very similar to those found in pigs or swine of North America.

The swine flu spreads the same way as a regular seasonal virus would spread, through coughing or sneezing, and also has much of the same symptoms.

“The swine had this virus at first, but then it mutates so that humans could get it as well,” said Minagil.

The H1N1 virus cannot be contracted by eating food so it is completely safe to continue to consume pork products.

The severities of the H1N1 virus can variety from mild to severe, and while most recovered with little or no medical care, hospitalizations and deaths have occurred.

H1N1 vaccines were first released in Clark County early October, but are currently available to only a selected group of individuals, including medical service personnel, doctors, nurses, care givers of children, and pregnant women.

A nasal spray, which consists of a live virus, has also been released. The nasal spray is not recommended for pregnant women but is usually widely available to the rest of the public. The first doses of the vaccine will be given as Flu Mist nasal spray.

“As soon as we get the traditional shots, we will be able to open the clinics for individuals in the other priority groups,” as stated in the Oct. 4 edition of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, by Mike Blasky.

Those that are infected with the actual H1N1 flu virus are able to infect those around them for up to seven days after getting sick.

“Unlike the seasonal flu, the swine flu does target a different age group. The seasonal flu is commonly found in young children and seniors; while swine flu commonly targets those from their late teens to about mid 40s.

“I have followed every report given to me, and no tests have come out positive for swine flu,” said Minagil. Even though the school does not have any records of swine flu present at Sierra Vista High School, a few outbreaks have occurred that have not been reported.

“My brother had the swine flu too, so that is probably how I got it, it wasn’t that bad. I was given Tami flu and cough syrup, and only missed three days of school,” said Pike.

Even though parents might be concerned about the safety of their children, it is completely safe for students to continue attending school on a regular basis.

“It is not very likely that you will get the virus at school. If you think about it places such as the movie theater, grocery stores and the mall are much more exposed to the virus, and people are more prone to obtain the virus in these surroundings,” said Minagil.

The vaccines are not available to the public but should be in approximately another two week.

Soon, everyone that is considered to need the treatment will receive it.

“I recommend the vaccine, even to low risk patients, and I am fairly certain it will prove to be affective,” said Minagil. “It takes up to two weeks to build up the immunity to it, but the symptoms prove to be much less severe than what the normal virus would cause.”

SVHS has asked the students and parents to remain calm and protect themselves during this flu season.

A Couple of Friendly Tips on Staying Healthy:

1.)    Cover your mouth and nose when you cough/sneeze.

2.)    Wash your hands correctly and as often as possible.

3.)    Eat right.

4.)    Get enough sleep.

5.)    Exercise regularly.

6.)    Get immunized.

            7.) Stay home if you feel ill.