Swine flu cases at two county schools

Bedford County School Superintendent Ed Gray confirmed this morning that two cases of the H1N1 flu, formerly known as Swine flu, have been identified in Bedford County Schools, one at Shelbyville Central High School and the other at Thomas Magnet School.

Gray said the school system is being "very pro-active" in addressing the disease but said Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta have tried to prevent panic since the flu became a topic of public discussion earlier this year.

"The CDC and state have downplayed H1N1 to us," said Gray. Although the spread of H1N1 has caused the World Health Organization to give it Phase 6 pandemic status, that's a reflection of the disease's prevalence, not its severity.

"If the child is healthy, most likely it's going to be a regular flu for them," said Bedford County's supervising school nurse, Dee Crabtree. "It's not as bad as what originally they thought it would be."

"Illness with the new H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe," according to the CDC web site. "While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred." Those over 65 and under 5, pregnant women and those with chronic medical conditions are at greatest risk from the disease.

Because of this, someone who has flu-like systems or has identified them in a child should telephone a doctor immediately but should not go to the doctor's office unless directed to do so, so that the flu isn't spread to those with other medical conditions who might be in the waiting room. The doctor will decide whether to prescribe an anti-viral medication like Tamiflu.

Crabtree said the school system is working to encourage good health habits among school children.

"We're cleaning the classrooms every night," said Crabtree. "We're having hand-washing classes. We've got posters we're putting up: 'cover your cough.'"

Gray said that the school system's maintenance department has been making special efforts to keep the schools as clean and sanitary as possible.

"The cleaning crews are attacking this," said Gray.

Those who suffer from any flu-like symptoms should monitor their temperature, take Tylenol or Motrin and drink plenty of fluids. They should stay home until they have been been fever-free for 24 hours after they stop taking a fever-reducing medicine agent.

Gray and Crabtree said most parents have reacted well to the notices of swine flu; they said only a few have reacted with what could be described as panic.

"We just need to educate everyone what to look for," said Crabtree.

According to the CDC web site, "the symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting."

Gray said he's been told the flu season will be earlier this year than normal, but flu vaccinations including H1N1 won't be ready until October.

On the web

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention H1N1 site: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/