Rhiza Labs FluTracker Forum

Who knows if this poor child ever even had a good physical. She may have suffered from a defect in her heart. The UTI medication, may have given her side effects. The story has changed on this from yesterday. Again, these poor people go back and forth to Mexico and who know what the true story is. Regardless, I wish the media would get it right. GIRL DIES FROM H1N1 THAT HITS HER HEART!!!!! I am sorry, they need to be more kind too. Who knows how long she was sick with other ailments. Poor family. Ihope they find peace from losing a daughter. I could not imagine. There was another young women in Naperville that had a undiagnosed heart condition. Who knows how many have that. Md's do not give good physicals anymore. You are in and out with new babies in 20 mins if you are lucky. Both my nieces had an atrial septal defect and had surgery 20 years ago by a well known surgeon who was as Stanford but now at UCLA. Von Starnes, last name. If it was not for our pediatrician at the time that was old school back in the 80's when they really used to listen to your kids chest, they may have both been dead. My sister had to do back to back surgeries. both kids on heart and lung machines. So I think these days, the MD's just do not look for those things. Where are the good old MD's. I guess the insurance took care of them.

With flu-like symptoms accounting for the absences of 20 to 30 percent at some Tehama County schools, officials believe H1N1, or swine flu, is right on schedule to collide with flu season.

Countywide, absences in the 10,000-student population attributed to the flu were at 6 percent as of Oct. 9, Supervising School Health Supervisor Sharon Sinclair said, more than twice what they were a week before.

Even when flu victims are hospitalized, doctors usually only test for influenza, as patients who test for influenza A have a 95 percent chance of testing positive for H1N1. Officials do not know for certain what cases are the seasonal flu and which are H1N1, but agree it is too early in the year for seasonal flu.

Tehama County Superintendent of Schools Larry Champion has issued a letter to parents throughout the county with familiar advice. Students need to wash their hands, stay away from sick friends and, if ill, stay home until 24 hours after showing a fever, he said.

The virus appears to have picked up locally after the Tehama District Fair and during the West Coast Monster Truck Nationals, two events with high attendance and where food changes hands frequently.

So far, the virus has hospitalized a handful of students, but those students have since recovered, Sinclair said.

The disease seems to affect healthy students, and not just students with secondary health effects that would make them more vulnerable.

At the
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Advertisement

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerber Union Elementary School District classrooms are armed with disinfectant wipes, and ill students are required to stay home for at least 24 hours, Superintendent Rod Stone said.

We constantly send things home about cleanliness and washing hands, and all the normal things, Stone said.

There's just quite a bit more attention to it because of H1N1.

If there is an upside to the situation, it is that it allows for unprecedented tracking of illness.

As schools collect information on student absences, they have been polling parents for flu symptoms and, in turn, relaying the information to Sinclair and Champion.

It is a lot of work for the schools, so we really appreciate the time and effort that they are taking, Champion said.

As the county's department of education compiles the data, it should give officials some idea how illness spreads between students and where to concentrate fluprevention efforts.

More information on H1N1 prevention is available at www.tehamaschools.org

http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/news/ci_13593850

_________________
www.twitter.com/hniman

The number of students out sick at San Marin High School in Novato returned to normal this week after a spike last week, but public health officials continue to see an upswing in absences throughout the county as seasonal flu season converges with swine flu concerns.

"We're seeing more absences than the usual cold and flu season," said school nurse Lenora Kwok, an employee of the Marin County Office of Education who works with various county schools including San Rafael High School, Terra Linda High School and the Sausalito Marin City School District.

"Absenteeism for flu-like symptoms has gone up," Kwok said.

Dr. Anju Goel, the county's deputy public health officer, said some schools have reported "that they have higher rates of flu-like illness, but not alarmingly high at this point."

She couldn't provide specific figures for absenteeism or a breakdown of the number of flu-like symptoms reported. Goel declined to state which schools reported higher rates.

Because "there is very, very little seasonal flu at this time of year," almost all reported cases of flu now are H1N1, Goel said. "Flu illness is widespread in most states right now."

She said the county was working with school nurses and school administrators to narrow down how many students were out sick with the flu.

Luke McCann, assistant superintendent of the Marin County Office of Education, said "in general, yes, there is an increase in absenteeism" at county schools.

He didn't have specific


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Advertisement

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
totals, stating individual schools keep track of those records.
At San Marin, Principal Robert Vieth said the number of students out sick Monday and Tuesday was in the 70s, about half the number reported most days last week. Typically, 50 to 70 students are out sick at the 1,000-student high school during the cold-and-flu season.

Vieth said that of 70 students out sick Tuesday, about 60 reported flu-like symptoms and four were actually diagnosed with H1N1 by a doctor.

"We want kids to stay home (if sick)," he said. "In all honesty, our parents have done a great job. Nobody's panicking or doing something they're not supposed to."

At nearby Novato High School, Assistant Principal Lynn Erikson said the average number of students out ill so far this flu season was 157 students, up slightly from 150 during last year's flu season.

Johnnie Daniel, attendance clerk at Tamalpais High School, said the school was averaging about 60 students out sick per day this month. Typical absenteeism during flu season was about 100 students amid a population of 1,200 students.

Terra Linda Principal Lars Christensen said the number of students out sick this flu season was down from years past.

"I really believe parents are listening and keeping their sons and daughters home when they're not feeling well, hence when they come back, they're not spreading germs."

Kwok said she has been sending kids home from Terra Linda and other schools the past few weeks that looked awful and were "coughing their heads off.

"If I'm witnessing it, you know there's more of it out there," she said.

Recommended practices to avoid the flu include frequent hand washing with soap and running water or an alcohol-based hand rub; rub hands together for at least 20 seconds. Do not share personal items such as drinks, food or unwashed utensils. Cover coughs and sneezes with elbows, arms or sleeves instead of hands when a tissue is unavailable.

Public health officials urge the ill to stay home when sick and do not go to work, school or anywhere the virus could be spread. Stay home and keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after a fever is gone without using fever-reducing drugs. Get vaccinated with the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 flu shot as soon as it is available, public health officials said.

The number of students out sick at San Marin High School in Novato returned to normal this week after a spike last week, but public health officials continue to see an upswing in absences throughout the county as seasonal flu season converges with swine flu concerns.

"We're seeing more absences than the usual cold and flu season," said school nurse Lenora Kwok, an employee of the Marin County Office of Education who works with various county schools including San Rafael High School, Terra Linda High School and the Sausalito Marin City School District.

"Absenteeism for flu-like symptoms has gone up," Kwok said.

Dr. Anju Goel, the county's deputy public health officer, said some schools have reported "that they have higher rates of flu-like illness, but not alarmingly high at this point."

She couldn't provide specific figures for absenteeism or a breakdown of the number of flu-like symptoms reported. Goel declined to state which schools reported higher rates.

Because "there is very, very little seasonal flu at this time of year," almost all reported cases of flu now are H1N1, Goel said. "Flu illness is widespread in most states right now."

She said the county was working with school nurses and school administrators to narrow down how many students were out sick with the flu.

Luke McCann, assistant superintendent of the Marin County Office of Education, said "in general, yes, there is an increase in absenteeism" at county schools.

He didn't have specific


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Advertisement

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
totals, stating individual schools keep track of those records.
At San Marin, Principal Robert Vieth said the number of students out sick Monday and Tuesday was in the 70s, about half the number reported most days last week. Typically, 50 to 70 students are out sick at the 1,000-student high school during the cold-and-flu season.

Vieth said that of 70 students out sick Tuesday, about 60 reported flu-like symptoms and four were actually diagnosed with H1N1 by a doctor.

"We want kids to stay home (if sick)," he said. "In all honesty, our parents have done a great job. Nobody's panicking or doing something they're not supposed to."

At nearby Novato High School, Assistant Principal Lynn Erikson said the average number of students out ill so far this flu season was 157 students, up slightly from 150 during last year's flu season.

Johnnie Daniel, attendance clerk at Tamalpais High School, said the school was averaging about 60 students out sick per day this month. Typical absenteeism during flu season was about 100 students amid a population of 1,200 students.

Terra Linda Principal Lars Christensen said the number of students out sick this flu season was down from years past.

"I really believe parents are listening and keeping their sons and daughters home when they're not feeling well, hence when they come back, they're not spreading germs."

Kwok said she has been sending kids home from Terra Linda and other schools the past few weeks that looked awful and were "coughing their heads off.

"If I'm witnessing it, you know there's more of it out there," she said.

Recommended practices to avoid the flu include frequent hand washing with soap and running water or an alcohol-based hand rub; rub hands together for at least 20 seconds. Do not share personal items such as drinks, food or unwashed utensils. Cover coughs and sneezes with elbows, arms or sleeves instead of hands when a tissue is unavailable.

Public health officials urge the ill to stay home when sick and do not go to work, school or anywhere the virus could be spread. Stay home and keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after a fever is gone without using fever-reducing drugs. Get vaccinated with the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 flu shot as soon as it is available, public health officials said.

The number of students out sick at San Marin High School in Novato returned to normal this week after a spike last week, but public health officials continue to see an upswing in absences throughout the county as seasonal flu season converges with swine flu concerns.

"We're seeing more absences than the usual cold and flu season," said school nurse Lenora Kwok, an employee of the Marin County Office of Education who works with various county schools including San Rafael High School, Terra Linda High School and the Sausalito Marin City School District.

"Absenteeism for flu-like symptoms has gone up," Kwok said.

Dr. Anju Goel, the county's deputy public health officer, said some schools have reported "that they have higher rates of flu-like illness, but not alarmingly high at this point."

She couldn't provide specific figures for absenteeism or a breakdown of the number of flu-like symptoms reported. Goel declined to state which schools reported higher rates.

Because "there is very, very little seasonal flu at this time of year," almost all reported cases of flu now are H1N1, Goel said. "Flu illness is widespread in most states right now."

She said the county was working with school nurses and school administrators to narrow down how many students were out sick with the flu.

Luke McCann, assistant superintendent of the Marin County Office of Education, said "in general, yes, there is an increase in absenteeism" at county schools.

He didn't have specific


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Advertisement

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
totals, stating individual schools keep track of those records.
At San Marin, Principal Robert Vieth said the number of students out sick Monday and Tuesday was in the 70s, about half the number reported most days last week. Typically, 50 to 70 students are out sick at the 1,000-student high school during the cold-and-flu season.

Vieth said that of 70 students out sick Tuesday, about 60 reported flu-like symptoms and four were actually diagnosed with H1N1 by a doctor.

"We want kids to stay home (if sick)," he said. "In all honesty, our parents have done a great job. Nobody's panicking or doing something they're not supposed to."

At nearby Novato High School, Assistant Principal Lynn Erikson said the average number of students out ill so far this flu season was 157 students, up slightly from 150 during last year's flu season.

Johnnie Daniel, attendance clerk at Tamalpais High School, said the school was averaging about 60 students out sick per day this month. Typical absenteeism during flu season was about 100 students amid a population of 1,200 students.

Terra Linda Principal Lars Christensen said the number of students out sick this flu season was down from years past.

"I really believe parents are listening and keeping their sons and daughters home when they're not feeling well, hence when they come back, they're not spreading germs."

Kwok said she has been sending kids home from Terra Linda and other schools the past few weeks that looked awful and were "coughing their heads off.

"If I'm witnessing it, you know there's more of it out there," she said.

Recommended practices to avoid the flu include frequent hand washing with soap and running water or an alcohol-based hand rub; rub hands together for at least 20 seconds. Do not share personal items such as drinks, food or unwashed utensils. Cover coughs and sneezes with elbows, arms or sleeves instead of hands when a tissue is unavailable.

Public health officials urge the ill to stay home when sick and do not go to work, school or anywhere the virus could be spread. Stay home and keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after a fever is gone without using fever-reducing drugs. Get vaccinated with the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 flu shot as soon as it is available, public health officials said.

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_13611828

_________________
www.twitter.com/hniman

http://www.thereporter.com/ci_13611984

A Vacaville first-grader who died this weekend did have Influenza A but whether it is the subtype H1N1 virus is not yet known, according to preliminary test results released by Solano County officials this afternoon.

In a press release, the Solano County Coroner's office said county health lab test results on the Browns Valley Elementary School girl tested positive for the contagious form of flu and that the sample has been sent to the State Public Health Laboratory for sub-typing.

"This finding is not a positive indication of H1N1, and is not a verification of the cause of death," the press release states. "Once the cause of death has been determined, an updated press release will be issued."

The cause of death is pending the results of toxicology, flu swab analysis and further examination, officials said.

Family members told officials the girl, whose name has not been released, began feeling ill with flu-like symptoms on Thursday and displayed symptoms for the next several days before being rushed to VacaValley Hospital Sunday evening, where she died.

For more, see Thursday's print edition of The Reporter.

Follow-up on Vacaville student

VACAVILLE, Calif. -- A first-grader from a Vacaville elementary school who died Sunday has tested positive for the H1N1 virus, prompting the recommendation that the school be closed until next week, officials with the Solano County Health and Social Services Department announced Thursday.

The child, a student at Browns Valley Elementary School, died after showing flu-like symptoms, and test results from the state's Department of Public Health laboratory came up positive for the swine flu, according to Solano County health officials.

http://www.ktvu.com/bartshooting/21398198/detail.html

http://www.kcbs.com/Vacaville-School-Cl ... th/5508695
(Although this article states 43 students the oral report indicated this was 25% of the students. This implies a small school.)

Vacaville School Closed After Swine Flu Death


VACAVILLE, Calif. (CBS) - A first-grader from a Vacaville elementary school who died Sunday has tested positive for the H1N1 virus, prompting the school's closure until next week, school and health officials said late Thursday.

The child, a student at Browns Valley Elementary School, died after showing flu-like symptoms, and test results from the state's Department of Public Health laboratory came up positive for the swine flu, according to Solano County Health Department officials.

"We are extremely saddened and our thoughts go out to the friends and family of this child," Ronald W. Chapman, the county's public health officer, said.

Listen KCBS' Chris Filippi reports

As a result, Chapman recommended and school officials agreed that students would be dismissed from the school on Friday and Monday, and return to school on Tuesday "to interrupt transmission of the novel H1N1 virus."

The Superintendent of Vacaville Unified School District, John Aycock, said he agreed to cancel classes at the school due to a higher than average student absentee rate and the confirmation of the H1N1 infection in the child that passed away.

Children from the school, located at 333 Wrentham Drive in Vacaville, were advised to stay at home and not congregate in public places such as malls, churches, and small social gatherings.

The final cause of the child's death is still under investigation and was to be determined by the Solano County coroner's office.

Vacaville Christian High School is also closing due to the threat of the H1N1 virus. A third of the faculty and 43 students are said to be ill. The high school is set to reopen on Monday.

email from Portola Valley School District superintendent. Remaining detail routine. (Near Woodside and Redwood city)

-----Original Message-----
From: Anne Campbell [mailto:acampbell@pvsd.net]
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 1:12 PM
To: Undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: H1N1 at Corte Madera

Dear Parents,

We are currently experiencing an increase in absences at Corte Madera
caused by H1N1-like symptoms. We are aware of one fourth grader who
was on the Gold Rush trip who has been diagnosed with H1N1 by their
health care provider with another batch of fourth graders reporting
similar symptoms. Today's attendance in the fourth grade shows 36
students absent.

The absentee rate in the Ramona schools is higher than usual, but no one can be sure if the swine flu is to blame.
“The County Office of Education has asked us to report in on a daily basis if 10 percent or more of students are absent from a school, regardless of the reason,” said Dr. Robert Graeff, superintendent of Ramona schools. “We’ve had two or three schools a week with more than 10 percent and most, but not all of our schools, have hit that threshold.
“Absenteeism is definitely higher than last year at this time, more like something we would see in January or February.”
The problem is no one is sure why.
“Are parents just being more cautious than usual?” Graeff asked. “We don’t know.”
In the past, if children were ill, they would go to a doctor, who would take a culture and then confirm what type of flu the students had, so the county would know and schools would know.
“Because of the large numbers of sick children, they are not doing that this year,” Graeff said. “So the county doesn’t know, and we don’t know. All we know is what parents are saying when they call in,” but no one is tracking that information.
“We’re getting a lot of calls from concerned parents, but we don’t have any answers,” Graeff said.
The level of concern probably spiked last week when President Barack Obama declared the H1N1 flu outbreak to be “a national emergency.” Administration officials tried to calm fears by explaining that this was more of a “pre-emptive move” designed to cut red tape to make it easier for health officials to act quickly, if necessary. For example, hospitals might set up tent emergency rooms in parking lots, open alternative care sites in other locations or cut back on time-consuming paperwork.
Meanwhile, many parents are anxious for their children to be vaccinated against H1N1 flu and the county has been looking for locations to hold vaccination clinics, if and when the vaccine arrives.
The Ramona Unified School District was contacted by the county a couple weeks ago and the district has submitted a formal proposal to the county, Graeff said.
“We told them they can use multipurpose rooms in several of our schools during nonschool time, such as Saturdays or evenings,” Graeff said.
But the schools will not be involved or take any responsibility, other than providing a location.
“Nothing is definite at all, but it looks like they will try to schedule something in Ramona in mid or late November, probably on Saturdays,” Graeff said, providing thevaccine is available.
The Sentinel attempted to contact local doctors to see how widespread swine flu is in Ramona, but all were too busy to talk.
Debbie Meyer, office manager for Dr. Marcelo Rivera, said that they have seen about 10 cases of swine flu in the past two months. However, Rivera’s office does not treat anyone under 16 years of age.
Two weeks ago a number of players on the Ramona High School football team were thought to have the flu.
“We battled the flu all week,” Coach Damon Baldwin said. “Every time I tried to address the team, I was interrupted by a chorus of coughs.”
“But by the end of the week, we came back and won the game (against Orange Glen on Oct. 16),” Graeff said. “Life is good.”

http://www.ramonasentinel.com/article/N ... ools/19559

_________________
www.twitter.com/hniman

It is hard to believe that a school superintendant can be this lost at this time.

_________________
www.twitter.com/hniman

Ramona is in San Diego County.
Very close to Poway in fact that was hit a couple weeks ago.
Even in Poway at 25% absenteeism it was reported as a
"Mysterious Flu Like Illness"
Check it out
http://www.contracostatimes.com/califor ... ck_check=1
Health officials are investigating a mysterious outbreak of flu-like illness at a San Diego school where more than 100 children called in sick.

I am no fan of Wooten. San Diego isnt prepared one bit.
IMO 90% or so still going on every day like nothing going on or to worry about.


Ohh such a mystery.
LOL