by Dr. Heerboth
You will hear, I am sure, that a WIU student has a "probable" case of H1N1 flu. It is interesting to see that the university asked the student to return to her permanent home until her symptoms resolve. As far as we know, there is no better way to prevent the spread of the illness than by staying home if you are sick. Here is a link to WIU's information on this case. You may copy and paste it into your browser:
http://wiu.edu/newsrelease.sphp?release_id=7618
Here in West Prairie, we see no sign that would indicate that flu has arrived here yet. Our rates of absenteeism are normal. We've had a few people say they are ill with "the flu" but they seem to mean that they have upset stomach or other symptoms. So far, (as far as I know) we haven't had anyone in our school families contract influenza.
Maybe you heard about the school district south of St. Louis that closed due to H1N1. I heard the superintendent say that students who were sick with fever and respiratory symptoms were sent to school with Tylenol or Ibuprofin instead of being kept at home. Let's all agree that if we become ill, or if our children become ill, that we will stay at home.
