The H1N1 flu was in Douglas County this spring. It's still here and it appears to be spreading.
Wisconsin Public Radio reported at least four cases of an influenza-like illness at the University of Wisconsin this week. A call to the campus Thursday showed that number had risen to eight. All of the cases have been self-reported and all of the students live off campus, according to Dawn Schulze, director of student health and counseling for UWS. She said she expected that number to continue to climb.
A handful of cases have been reported at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College as well, according to Deb Clasen, deputy director of health services for the Douglas County Health and Human Services Department.
On Oct. 1, the health department will begin monitoring student absences due to illness at six schools throughout the county, including three in Superior. The schools will report to the health department three times a week, providing vital information on the flu.
"To get an early grip on where activity is," Clasen said.
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Currently, there has been a rise in influenza-like illness in southern Wisconsin. But, unlike the spring outbreak, most people with symptoms will not be tested.
Symptoms of the flu include a fever, sore throat, cough and body and joint aches.
"If they're feeling those symptoms, chances are they may have H1N1," Clasen said, because the seasonal flu has not hit yet.
Health officials throughout the state are encouraging anyone with mild flu-like symptoms to stay home.
"If you stay home, get plenty of fluids and good nutrition, the virus seems to run its course within seven days," Clasen said, but seven days is a long time to ask parents to keep their children out of school.
The current criteria for going back to work or school is that the person has been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication like Ibuprofin.
Health care workers who experience influenza-like symptoms are required to stay home for seven days, however.
Although the majority of people who contract the flu don't need testing or treatment, there are some exceptions. Pregnant women and people with underlying chronic conditions who contract the flu and anyone with severe symptoms - trouble breathing, a fever that comes back after it went away, inability to keep fluids down -- should be seen by medical personnel promptly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Antiviral drugs have the best chance of working within the first 48 hours, according to the CDC
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An FDA-approved vaccine is expected to arrive in the area in October. The first wave to be immunized will be health care workers and first responders, Clasen said. She expected vaccines to be available to the public by November. Certain populations are targeted to receive the H1N1 flu shots.
They include children from age 6 months to adults age 24, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses like asthma and heart disease and residents and staff in residential or correctional facilities. Those with infants under the age of six months in their household are also encouraged to get the flu shot.
The shots will be provided free of charge at schools throughout the county as well as mass clinics for the public, Clasen said. Parents should keep track of forms coming home from school, as a parent's signature is required for the vaccine. Clinics and health care facilities may charge a fee to administer the shot.
"Local health departments will have adequate supplies of this vaccine," she emphasized.
Health officials are also urging people to get the seasonal flu shot, which is currently available for a $22 fee. The immunization developed will carry through the coming spring.
"Then they have one less influenza they're going to have to fight off," Clasen said.
A single seasonal flu shot is needed. Adults will need a single H1N1 flu vaccination, but children will get two vaccinations about three weeks apart, according to the Douglas County Health Department.
Influenza can be unpredictable. While current cases are mild, the health department is keeping close track of them.
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"We're not going to prevent having the disease because it's here," Clasen said, but "We can control this to a certain degree."
