Oh no! Look out behind you – it’s the avian flu! Just kidding. I’m sure some of you were frightened, even though there isn’t much reason to be at this point in time.

I concede that avian flu has the potential to become a serious health risk in America; but right now I feel that some people may be overly worried because the media, like it loves to do, is causing panic.

And even then, if you’re still feeling scared, do what I did and check the Web site of the Center for Disease Control:

First of all, flu season, which spans from November until March, is more or less over, so there’s one thing less thing to worry about.

Second of all, the furthest west the avian flu has reached is Denmark.

Third, the virus affects the lower respiratory system as opposed the upper respiratory system, which means the illness does not cause coughing or sneezing, which is the way normal influenza is transmitted.

Finally, anyone who has fallen ill with avian flu has probably contracted it from working with or living in close proximity to birds. I’m not sure about you, but I do not work on a farm, nor do I work in a poultry slaughterhouse in Asia, two places where employees have contracted avian flu more than once.

American citizens are being bombarded with news stories about our latest threat. We are constantly being updated about the progress of avian flu.

The illness hangs over us like an omnipresent enemy, or so magazines and news organizations would have us think.

However, this enemy has found no way to easily pass from human to human. Until the bird flu mutates into an illness that can pass from human to human, it does not pose as high a risk as some would have you believe.

While writers and newscasters are fear-mongering with tales of death, they are placing less emphasis on information that is actually important: ways to avoid getting sick if there is a pandemic.

America strikes me as one of those countries that is frequently under-prepared for disasters, which I think makes it important to make sure that the public is educated.

It’s simple; keeping safe from avian flu is like keeping safe from the normal flu. Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water, don’t share food or drink (or other miscellaneous items that college students like to share), and if you are truly sick do not go into school or work, because then you spread the illness.

There needs to be a balance of stories that report useful facts.

Media should find a balance between stories that alert the public – like an MSNBC on number of fatalities since avian flu resurfaced in 2003, explaining that most of the 100 fatalities happened in Asian countries, including China and Vietnam – and stories educating readers on ways to remain healthy during a possible avian flu pandemic.

It’s the media’s job to educate the people about the illness, not run stories that inspire panic in their audiences.

Please, worry about avian flu when it’s appropriate, and try not to get too stressed – stress has been linked to weaker immune systems.

Before you go crazy and kill the Guilford geese, make sure you are educated.