Dr. Tim Monroe, director of the Forsyth County Public Health Department, said reported cases of H1N1, or “swine flu,” have not exceeded health department officials’ expectations.
“We hear from the school systems that they have a lot of children out, but it’s not beyond what we expected based on this second wave of H1N1,” Monroe said. “It is anticipated we’ll see more flu disease from H1N1this year and more flu this year than we saw last year.” Approximately 200 Wake Forest University students have been treated by the school’s student health service for flu-like symptoms since late August.
Student cases have been relatively mild and similar to seasonal flu, according to the university’s website. The H1N1 vaccine should be available at the health department, area hospitals and physicians’ offices by mid-October, but may not arrive until early November, Monroe said. Children and young adults appear to be at greater risk of getting infected with H1N1, so the health department will publish a prioritization list once it receives the vaccine.
Decisions to shut down schools with reported outbreaks will be done on a case-by-case basis, Monroe said. “The most likely reason we would shut a school down at this point would be simply because there are not enough teachers there to teach or there are so many children are out sick that there is no point in even bothering to have school,” he said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends taking three steps to fight the flu, including getting the flu vaccine; taking everyday precautions such as covering your nose and mouth when sneezing and washing hands often; and taking antiviral drugs if recommended by a doctor.
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