Wednesday night I sat in the Walgreens Take Care Clinic waiting to see what felt like the school nurse. I signed in on the computer kiosk and the nurse’s assistant told me to come back in an hour and a half, given the fact that there were 6 patients in front of me. I went home for about an hour in the hopes that if I showed up early the line would have disappeared. I returned to find 4 people ahead of me, so I settled in for my 2 hour wait. Positive side of waiting in Walgreens: its like a kid’s play place of magazine racks, cosmetics, and Halloween costumes. Negative side: I wanted to buy everything in sight. Walgreens, you devil.


As I sat reading my unpurchased Glamour magazine, a lady wearing a mask walked down the isle. Really, lady!? Get over yourself. We aren’t dealing with the bubonic plague here people. Ten minutes later, a few high school girls pranced around the cold/flu section. One girl said, “Omg did you hear who had the swine? Like omg I hope I don’t get the swine!” Like OMG I about punched the teen brats in the face. I resisted the physical assault, shot them a dirty look, and coughed in their direction. I know, I am super mature.


When did the term or even diagnosis  “swine flu” become a badge of honor or status symbol? “He or She survived the swine flu” gives people an ego-boast and instant star-studded attention. You probably hate the word “swine flu” given the amount of talk, debate, and controversy about this apparent epidemic-type virus infiltrating healthy schools and workplaces across the country; however, I don’t understand all the hyped up, celebrity status accorded so-called  “survivors” of the swine flu. Did they fight of breast cancer after months of harsh chemotherapy? Did they lose a limb fighting in Iraq or in the line of duty and withstand invasive, painful surgeries and rehab? No. They fought off a virus they contracted from getting coughed on at the grocery store...or at Walgreens. Ha!


I asked the nurse practitioner if she had seen a lot of flu/swine flu patients. She instantly went on a rant about how she called it “H1N1” because the term "swine flu" negatively affects the pork industry and creates the idea that eating pig or pork products directly relates to the virus. The nurse also commented on how the high school students she treated talked about the swine flu like it was some fad or trend that students also wanted to take part in. A ridiculous amount of teens kept saying, “Omg I totally got the swine” or “Is it swine?!” This is a virus, not some crown you win for being voted homecoming queen.


Before you rip me apart for sounding insensitive, I understand that the swine flu is a legitimate virus infecting thousands of people. From August 30 to October 10, 2009, there were 15,696 hospitalizations and 2,029 deaths in the US from the Influenza and Pneumonia Syndrome. Since October 16, 2009 in Missouri, there have been 76 official cases of H1N1, 371 unofficial cases, and 3 deaths. I understand that the vaccination is endorsed by some health officials and criticized by others. School are closing, children are getting sick, and offices are warning employees to stay at home if they feel sick. I’m not being insensitive, but I just am not going to praise people who seem almost proud of contracting the swine flu.


I do not intend to trivialize the swine flu. The virus is real, infectious, and spreading across the nation. H1N1 has killed many people and we are not even in the peak of the cold/flu season. The government and drug companies are pushing vaccination and drugs. Doctors are not 100% positive of the effects of the vaccinations and remain torn as to the best way to prevent H1N1.  I propose the question that if people took care of their bodies with proper nutrition and kept their immune system strong on a daily basis with appropriate foods, vitamins, and minerals, would we even have such an epidemic on our hands?  Probably, but to the scale H1N1is reaching?


I clearly do not have the answer or cure or right path for any person who has contracted the swine flu. I do know that debate is healthy and positive. I am glad parents and health officials aren’t just running around injecting kids with a vaccine that was created in a short period of time. At the same time, I wish people would look at H1N1 as a virus that needs to be cured, not a status symbol that needs to be won. Clearly, those high school girls gossiping in Walgreens see this virus as just another popular group to fit into.


The next thing you know there is going to be a Facebook group or high school club called “Swine-Flu: I survived.” Congratulations that you feel better, but no thanks, I will not be purchasing your club t-shirt.