In our office, we have seen children present with flu-like symptoms over the last few weeks, but all the patients have recovered and done well. We recognize that the influenza A (H1N1) virus is still spreading in the US and the latest CDC stats report 896 cases that have been laboratory confirmed. Testing and confirming cases has been an issue since our local public health department will only do the testing to confirm for influenza A (H1N1) if a patient is hospitalized.

All local schools in the County have reopened and according to new CDC guidelines on school closures, a school will not be closed for a suspected or confirmed case of influenza A (H1N1) unless the magnitude of the absenteeism in the school interferes with school's ability to function. Here are a few other recommendations from them:

• Students, faculty or staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should stay home and not attend school or go into the community except to seek medical care for at least 7 days even if symptoms resolve sooner.
• Students, faculty and staff who are still sick 7 days after they become ill should continue to stay home from school until at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved.

Also according to the CDC, not all patients with suspected novel influenza (H1N1) infection need to be seen by a health care provider. Children under 5 years old, or who have other underlying chronic health issues may need to be evaluated. Treatment is not being recommended with antiviral drugs except in special situations.

Please remember that hand washing and covering your cough are important ways to reduce transmission of viruses. We will not be doing car visits for patients with flu-like symptoms. If your child is coughing a lot and having high fevers, you may ask our staff for a mask if your child is not good about covering their mouth or you can let us know that you will wait just outside the waiting room. We will continue to do car visits for any suspected chickenpox cases as usual.