Is The Media Overhyping H1N1?

[duane1969]

Just wanted to add that my wife has noticed an increase in absences by both teachers and students this fall. She also said that many of the students are missing more than a day which is usually a sign they weren't just taking a day off.

But is that entirely from the swine flu? The CDC is saying that if you THINK you have the flu then you should stay home. How many of those people that are staying home simply have a bad cold or sinus infection? Not every absence is the swine flu or even the "common" flu.

There are also reasons for kids to be staying home than H1N1. My 8 year old just had the chicken pox and missed 4 days. I bet when the statisticians do the math they just assume that all absences are due to the flu when in reality many are not. Along with the chicken pox this is also the season for mumps, measles, sinus issues, the common cold...not every sick person has the H1N1.

[dfr52]

But is that entirely from the swine flu? The CDC is saying that if you THINK you have the flu then you should stay home. How many of those people that are staying home simply have a bad cold or sinus infection? Not every absence is the swine flu or even the "common" flu.

There are also reasons for kids to be staying home than H1N1. My 8 year old just had the chicken pox and missed 4 days. I bet when the statisticians do the math they just assume that all absences are due to the flu when in reality many are not. Along with the chicken pox this is also the season for mumps, measles, sinus issues, the common cold...not every sick person has the H1N1.

Very true (she has only one student with a confirmed casse), I was just describing what she told me-that absences were up. It is possible that the medie is over hyping this just like any other news story.