2300: Call it What IT is

Swine flu is everywhere. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and stay away from the people who are infected. If you don’t, you may end up a carrier of the Swine Flu, also known as the H1N1 Flu. However, no one calls it the H1N1. Most of the media will begin a story saying, “There has been another death caused by the Swine Flu, or H1N1 flu.” People don’t hear the second part. All they hear is Swine Flu. Swine flu actually has genes from birds, swine, and humans. Therefore, the name H1N1 makes sense. This flu is contagious, but the easiest way to contract it is not by eating pork. Coughing and sneezing are the most common ways this virus spreads. Thousands of people die from the normal flu yearly, and this flu is no different. H1N1 can pass within a couple days if the patient rests, stays hydrated, and is not around a lot of people.

Why does the news media and everyone else have to make the situation worse? This is a severe outbreak of influenza, but calling it something as ominous as the “Swine Flu” is not helping matters. This illustrates to me the size of gap that exists between a company or organization and its public can be influenced by small details. What’s the big deal about calling it a different name? They are both referring to the same thing. In this case, I think it’s important. I would rather be diagnosed with H1N1 flu than the Swine Flu.