Type A flu moves in; no confirmed H1N1 in county

Until this week, Pleimling has had only one confirmed case of Type A flu reported to her since July 1, 2009. Since Monday, however, she has received word of at least five reported positive cases confirmed by local labs.

Patients exhibiting flu symptoms are typically tested for either Type A or Type B influenza, Pleimling explains, and the H1N1 or Swine flu that has been prominent in the news falls within the Type A category.

According to guidelines from the state of Missouri and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), physicians are not required to test past the Type A diagnosis, Pleimling says. Any further diagnostic testing is based upon each physician's individual discretion, she explains.

"The H1N1 flu is treated exactly like the Type A flu is treated," Pleimling explains, "and so unless a patient's general health is compromised by either a chronic condition or severe respiratory complications, for example, the recommendation is to treat the symptoms of Type A once confirmed. Those symptoms are the same as those presented with the H1N1 flu virus."

Health insurance carriers may or may not cover the additional tests that nail down H1N1. For those patients who want the peace of mind in knowing whether their Type A flu is indeed H1N1, physicians have the option to order further testing if patients' insurance will pay or if patients are willing to self-pay. The price for reassurance can be steep...sometimes as much as $500 for the lab work that may further determine Type A to be H1N1.

Pleimling further explains, "Type A could be a seasonal flu, or it could be H1N1. What residents need to realize is that H1N1 is another type of flu and treatment is the same for both strains. The general population is concerned because it's never before been in the population. Our information tells us that many of the fatalities reported from the H1N1 flu virus occurred in patients whose general health was significantly compromised by serious health conditions before they contracted the virus."

So, what is the best advice that Pleimling can offer to residents?

"Prevention, as always," she says, "is the key."

School age children are being taught that when they cough or sneeze, to do so into their elbow or sleeve to prevent germs from becoming airborne, and the use of hand sanitizers is highly recommended.

"While the sanitizers do not replace a good soapy handwashing, they do help in preventing the spread of germs."

Attendance in Dexter Schools remains in good standing, according to local school authorities. Thursday's average student attendance was nearly 95 percent, typical for this time of year, officials say.

According to T.S. Hill Middle School Nurse LaRhonda Gibson, those students who have been diagnosed with Type A influenza have been told by their physicians to remain out of school for about a week. They are further advised, Gibson says, to stay home until they are temperature-free for at least 24 hours.

The local Health Center keeps close tabs on the progression of all flu reports within the county's hospitals, school systems, and physician's offices.

"Physicians and other agencies are mandated to report to the Health Center each week as to the number of flu cases, strep throat cases and a number of other confirmed illnesses," Pleimling states. "We track those numbers very closely."

Currently, the vaccine that works to prevent Type A and/or H1N1 flu is not available at the local center, but that will change in the coming weeks.

"We're expecting the vaccine to become available in mid or late October, and as soon as it arrives we will be holding vaccination clinics. In the meantime," the Health Center director stresses, "the best thing we can do is to practice the prevention methods, especially handwashing and working to avoid spreading germs in public."