Marshall Democrat-News: Local News: Slater student tests positive for H1N1; County health officials remind high-risk residents to seek treatment promptly (09/09/09)

Saline County Health Department Administrator Lisa Thomas said she received official confirmation Wednesday, Sept. 9, that one student from the Slater school district had contracted the H1N1 virus.

Last week, Thomas told The Marshall Democrat-News that two sick children from Slater had seen a Columbia pediatrician to be tested, and it was likely they had the flu.

Thomas said the cost of testing for the virus is about $600 at a private lab, so it is possible that only one of the sick children was tested.

"I know the testing is rather expensive," she said. "It is kind of cost-prohibitive."

Thomas and Assistant Administrator Russ Donnell again referred individuals concerned about H1N1 to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site for more information.

The symptoms of the virus are similar to those of seasonal flu: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

Those people who are high-risk -- children age 5 or younger, persons age 65 or older, pregnant women and persons with chronic health conditions -- should seek treatment for the virus within 48 hours of displaying symptoms, Thomas said.

"They don't want to wait," she said. "We recommend that they see their physician."

For people who are not considered high-risk, Thomas advised standard methods of self-treatment.

She said people should stay at home and get lots of rest.

Thomas also reminded Saline County residents not to come to the health department seeking treatment.

"We can't treat them here," she said. "We don't have a physician that comes regularly."

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net

Related stories:
www.marshallnews.com/topic/flu_news09/

They said people not to come to the clinic cause there is not a doctor all the time? Sounds fimialiar dont u think? Obamas HeathCare Plan.

-- Posted by lf67 on Tue, Sep 15, 2009, at 1:00 PM

Why is the media being blamed? If this was just any other flu would the C.D.C. and D.E.S.E. be taking such precautioins, I think not. Everyone needs to visit www.dese.mo.gov to see if your school is taking the steps to insure all children, faculty, and staff remain healthy and safe. If you feel your school isn't taking the steps recommended speak up and be heard. If we don't protect our children it appears no one else will

-- Posted by momtoall on Wed, Sep 9, 2009, at 8:53 PM

It may not be serious as you stated but I would like someone to give an answer to my questions.

-- Posted by litlmissme on Wed, Sep 9, 2009, at 5:36 PM

Where did the child come into contact with it?

Are the parents ill as well?

Are they quarantined to prevent spreading?

-- Posted by litlmissme on Wed, Sep 9, 2009, at 4:25 PM

I wonder if this will wake up the people at that school or will they keep denying it.

-- Posted by fam1ST on Wed, Sep 9, 2009, at 4:02 PM