Lorain/Elyria, OH
Two Keystone Middle students have H1N1; schools to stay open
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LAGRANGE — Two students at Keystone Middle School have been diagnosed with the H1N1 flu virus, but school will be held as normal today with a few extra precautions, Superintendent Gary Friedt said.
The parents of one child called school officials Tuesday night saying a doctor had confirmed a case of H1N1, and a second parent called with similar news Wednesday morning, Friedt said.
The Ohio Department of Health and the Lorain County General Health District advised the district to continue to have school and follow health precautions such as urging students to wash hands frequently and some additional disinfecting measures, Friedt said.
Letters were sent home to parents of the district’s 1,700 students warning them to be vigilant for symptoms in their own children.
Friedt said school officials will continue to monitor the situation, and for a couple of days students will have excused absences if their parents choose to keep them home.
Most of the current flu cases in the United States are from the H1N1 strain, and they are probably not the first school flu cases in Lorain County involving the virus, said Kenneth Pearce, health district commissioner.
He said EMH Regional Medical Center reported 25 flu cases last week, and they were likely H1N1.
Other schools also have reported absences due to flu, but there are no special reporting requirements this fall regarding H1N1, Pearce said.
It’s a far cry from this spring, when Ely School in Elyria was closed for seven school days in April and May after a third-grader became the first reported person in Ohio to contract H1N1, also known as swine flu.
In late April, H1N1 was classified as a novel virus and less was known about it, Pearce said.
H1N1 symptoms
- Resembles seasonal flu.
- Moderate fever (102 to 103 degrees).
- Runny nose.
- Nasal congestion.
- Coughing.
- Sore throat.
- Lack of appetite.
Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or cleise@chroniclet.com.
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Wow… How much things have changed over the coarse of the summer. From schools being shut down and sporting events being cancelled, to just a warning letter telling parents to be aware.
The overboard media hype has finally worn off, and people are actually realizing that ‘the swine’ is pretty much the same as any other flu, only a bit easier spread. Just use the same precautions (stay HOME if sick, drink plenty of fluids, and watch the elderly, the young, or those with underlying health problems) and we will get through this fine.
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I’ve worked at the hospital for 7 years, most recently in ER. Flu is tested but as of this year admittance is required (in most cases) to allow for H1N1 testing and labs normally don’t come back for a few days unless a rush is ordered. Are these children very sick in the hospital?
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