Elkhart ISD says no cases of N1H1 flu confirmed

By ANGIE ALVARADO

ELKHART — Elkhart Independent School District Curriculum Director Kay Chapman said Wednesday that two coaches have been out of school with what is believed to be the regular flu.

“We do have a couple of coaches out but have not been confirmed as swine flu,” Chapman said. “Both coaches could have the Type A flu, which is the regular flu, but tests have not come back to confirm they have swine flu.”

Type A flu is the most common. Type B flu is milder than Type A, and Type C flu causes mild respiratory infections similar to the common cold.

“Some students have gone home with flu-like symptoms but we don’t know if it’s the flu or the swine flu for sure,” Chapman said. “Parents are taking them to the doctor to be tested.”

According to Chapman, the school nurse believes a number of students who have gone home sick are suffering from allergies which can cause symptoms similar to the flu.

“Allergies can cause them to feel miserable,” Chapman said. “We have not sent a huge number of kids home.”

The school district has not received word that anyone, students or coaches who have been out sick, actually have the N1H1 virus, also known as the swine flu.

“We don’t have anything confirmed yet,” she added. “We’re just waiting.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which analyzes information about influenza activity in the United States, “current visits to doctors for influenza-like illness are down from April, but are higher than what is expected in the summer and have increased over the last two weeks.”

Symptoms of H1N1 flu in humans are similar to classic flu-like symptoms, which might include: fever above 100.4 °F, cough, sore throat, headache, chills, muscle aches, diarrhea and vomiting.

The CDC advises people to take the following precautions to avoid becoming infected with any type of flu:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after using it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. You also may use alcohol-based hand cleaners.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, to avoid getting infected by germs.

• Avoid close contact with sick people.

• If you do get sick, consider staying home from work or school.

“Most people who get H1N1 flu will likely recover without needing medical care,” according to the CDC. “Doctors, however, can prescribe antiviral drugs to treat people who become very sick with the flu or are at high risk for flu complications.”

If you need treatment for H1N1 flu, the CDC recommends that your doctor give you zanamivir (Relenza) or osteltamivir (Tamiflu). These drugs work best if you receive them within two days of becoming ill. You may get them later if you are very sick or if you have a high risk for complications.

To prevent infection with H1N1 flu, people living in the same house as someone diagnosed with the virus should ask their doctor if they also need a prescription for these medicines. Careful respiratory hygiene and frequent hand-washing also are recommended steps for reducing the risk of getting H1N1 flu and other influenza.

“If you think you have been exposed to H1N1 influenza, call your health care provider before your visit. This will give the staff a chance to take proper precautions to protect them and other patients during your office visit,” the CDC advised.

If you are ill and have any of the following warning signs, the CDC recommends you seek emergency medical care.

In children, emergency signs include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing

• Bluish or gray skin color

• Not drinking enough fluids

• Severe or persistent vomiting

• Not waking up or not interacting

• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and a worse cough

In adults, emergency signs include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting

• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and a worse cough

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