H1N1 Proving Mild for Many Patients | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

New York The swine flu continues to spread, and the Centers for Disease Control (C.D.C.)has released new treatment guidelines on how to combat it.

"In the United States, all of the flu that is circulating right now is the H1N1 strain. If you've had the flu, you've had the Swine Flu," said ABC News Senior Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser.

What they've learned is that for most people, the H1N1 virus or Swine Flu is a mild illness. Officials say most people do not need treatment. The C.D.C. wants to avoid a shortage of anti-viral medications.

They are asking many doctors to give prescriptions ahead of time to patients who are in a high-risk group.

"If you're a young child, if you're pregnant, if you're elderly or if you have underlying medical conditions, then seeing your doctor and starting treatment is early is very important," said Dr. Besser.

There's a big spike in Swine Flu outbreaks in the southeast. Flu activity is widespread in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.

Since August 17th, more than 200 students on North Carolina State's campus have come down with flu-like symptoms presumed to be the H1N1 virus.

"There are a lot of people on the 8th floor that have had swine flu and are quarantined to their room," said student Alexa Martin.

Many there, along with the rest of the country, are doing what they can to fight the flu by doing what we've heard all along, washing their hands.

The vaccine is currently undergoing clinical trials. The first 40-million doses or so should be available by mid-October.