Swine Flu Pedia

Three cases of flu-like illness in Missaukee County have been confirmed by the state as resulting from the H1N1 virus or “swine flu,” according to District Health Department No. 10 Director Dr. James Wilson, D.O.

“There’s no reason to fear, but people should be aware of it and take standard precautions,” Dr. Wilson said.

Those precautions include common courtesy such as covering your mouth when coughing and washing hands thoroughly.

Two of the three elementary school students have already recovered and a third has been staying at home for a week, Dr. Wilson said.

He noted they have at least one more specimen to be tested.

Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not recommend closing schools when a case of flu caused by the virus has been found, Dr. Wilson noted.

Additional cases of the flu are being investigated in Newaygo and Oceana counties.

“It’s here, it’s probably the tip of the iceberg,” Dr. Wilson said of the virus, which so far has been discovered to be mild.

The flu does not spread easily and usually does not cause problems unless the patient is very old or very young, or suffers from a chronic illness.

Dr. Wilson said the flu is expected to fade out as we advance into summer, but could back in the fall in a different form.

Experts are now keeping an eye on what effect the virus has in the southern hemisphere where the flu season is just beginning.

“If it combines with other viruses and picks up a gene for resistance or easy communicability or being more deadly it could come back next flu season,” Dr. Wilson said.

Source from Cadillacnews