BOURBON - Two cases of the H1N1 flu virus have been confirmed at Triton Elementary School.
According to Triton Elementary Principal Jeremy Riffle Wednesday, the school corporation was notified of the first case Monday, and notified of the second case at the end of the day Tuesday. A letter was sent home with parents Tuesday.Riffle said the first student affected was not in school Monday and not in school with symptoms. His symptoms developed over the weekend, according to the letter. The student does have siblings in the Triton School Corp. and may have been around friends over the weekend, the letter stated.
"Due to cost and the overwhelming amount of flu tests being sent to CDC for swine flu testing, not all flu tests are sent for confirmation at this time," the letter states. "The CDC recommended that if a person tests positive for Type A at this time we are to assume that it is H1N1. That means that it is not 100 percent accurate for swine flu."
Riffle said Triton is cleaning every classroom with disinfectant, and anti-microbial spray on items such as doorknobs. Every room is being sprayed on a rotation basis every 30 days. Each classroom has hand cleaner and everyone is being reminded to wash their hands.
The two cases at Triton may not be the only cases of H1N1 in the area.
Teresa Miller, communicable disease nurse for Kosciusko County, said, "There's cases of confirmed Influenza A that are being discovered around here. It's here."
For most people who get it, it will be mild, she said. It can be dangerous for pregnant women and young children.
Miller said the Kosciusko County Health Department did receive 700 doses, but those have been distributed mostly to health care providers. "We had to put it where we thought we'd get the most benefit for the most amount of people," she said.
The county will order more vaccines as soon as the state allows, she said. The vaccines will be distributed as wide as possible once they are received.
"Ultimately," she said, "the goal is to get the vaccine out to as many people who want it."
According to the Center for Disease Control Web site, most people who get the flu, either seasonal or the 2009 H1N1, will have mild illness, will not need medical care or antiviral drugs, and will recover in less than two weeks. Some people, however, are more xlikely to get flu complications that result in being hospitalized and occasionally result in death. Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications. The flu can make chronic health problems worse.
The CDC states that people at high risk for flu complications include children younger than 5, adults 65 years old or older, pregnant women and people with cancer, blood disorders, chronic lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorders, liver disorders, neurological disorders, neuromuscular disorders and weakened immune systems.
There are two kinds of 2009 H1N1 vaccines being produced. The 2009 H1N1 flu shot is an inactivated vaccine that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The other is a nasal spray flu vaccine. Made with a live, weakened virus, it does not cause the flu, according to the CDC. However, some minor side effects that could occur include soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, low-grade fever and aches.
In a press release provided by Miller, it states, "A significant rise in influenza-like illness has occurred in Kosciusko County. Many of these illnesses have tested as positive for Influenza A. Most Influenza A that is occurring is due to the 2009 Novel H1N1 influenza strain. This is also occurring throughout the state and country.
"As of this time, most 2009 H1N1 infected individuals are experiencing mild illness and do not require medical care or testing. Individuals with mild illness should remain home and treat the illness as any other flu," the press release states. "The ill individuals should remain home at least 24 hours after the fever is gone. Individuals with severe illness or special health consideration should consult with their health care providers. The current recommendations do not recommend exclusion of contacts or family of those with probable or confirmed H1N1 illness from work or school."
The Triton letter offers several tips for parents, teachers and students to help control the spread of the air-borne flu.
Cover your cough or sneeze. Use a tissue and throw it away or use your arm to cover your nose and mouth.
Stay home if you are ill. Stay home for 24 hours once a fever ends.
Teach your students to wash their hands often and thoroughly with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer.
Teach your students to not share personal items like drinks, foods or utensils.
