It’s been called the next bubonic plague, an epidemic, and the H1N1 virus, but most people simply refer to this new wave of hysteria as swine flu.
The swine flu has been the medical "hot-button" term over the past few months as it has torn its way through Mexico and the United States, and spread on a global scale.
The virus has common flu-like symptoms, including fever, sore-throat, and a cough that can later escalate into severe vomiting, myalgia, headache, chills, and fatigue.
Many people have mistaken their cases of swine flu for the common flu, which has only helped the virus spread further.
Even though this illness has caused some world-wide panic with a death toll of about 3,200, the students of Paul Laurence Dunbar have never had a real reason to worry.
"More people have died annually of the normal flu than of the swine flu. And you don’t get treated like you have leprosy when you get the regular flu," said junior Megan Klein.
"People just shouldn’t freak out about this." She feels, like many students, that the swine flu isn’t really a big deal.
Unfortunately the swine flu has started to hit closer and closer to home.
The first reported Kentucky case was in Warren County on April 30, 2009. To date, there have now been cases reported in counties throughout the state and even here at Dunbar. With each new case, the panic level rises.
There has been no news from the administration so far on whether or not schools will be closed due to the swine flu. The decision to close schools or not is left up to Fayette County Superintendent Mr. Stu Silberman.
The main concern now is that the virus could quickly spread since school is back in session. Generally, illnesses spread faster during the school year.
This, coupled with the fact that Kentucky school districts have a general lack of nurses, could lead to dangerous conditions in public schools.
Although this is true, Kentucky’s swine flu numbers are nowhere close to pandemic records, so don’t hold your breath for a swine flu break anytime soon.
As far as prevention of the H1N1 virus goes, treat it just like you would the flu during this cold season. A common misconception is that the Swine Flu is deadlier than the regular flu, however this is not true. Vaccines for the swine flu are due out in the beginning of October and students are encouraged to get vaccinated.
Until then, most Dunbar students are keeping a reasonable attitude toward the situation. "I think that students are making it into a bigger deal than it actually is," said junior Sara Michael. "As long as you wash your hands and stay healthy, you’ll be fine."