FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 9/30/2009) This is a virus that breaks the rules.
The young ones, the ones that seem so healthy and full of life, they are the ones most at risk when it comes to H1N1. It's a virus that spreads quickly, and can attack a child's body with lightening speed. "Everything changed quickly," Tammy Kashif Bryant said about her 16 year old son. "It just went from him riding his dirt bike and the next thing I know, he was sick."
It could happen to anyone. That's what makes this "swine flu" so serious. Tammy's son went from fine, to some aches and pains, to a fever. The fever lasted only one day, but the aches and pains and the coughing got worse. He was diagnosed as having the H1N1 virus. Tammy thinks it's her responsibility to let everybody know. "I want to know everything," she said. "I want to be able to make my own decisions and know what to look for."
There are federal laws that keep school officials from talking about a student's individual medical condition. But the Memphis City School system did sent out letters to all parents this year, informing them of the symptoms of the "swine flu". The administration is following the same course that the Center for Disease Control is doing. The CDC has stopped reporting individual cases of H1N1 as well.
That might be the official policy, but just like all policies, there are plenty of folks who disagree with it. "I want to be informed," says Yvonne Maxwell, the mother of a Cordova High student. "My son has special needs, and so he's at risk. He's already had a flu shot, but he's about to get his H1N1 shot."
Bonnie Harker's granddaughter has had, and recovered from, H1N1 already. She says people just need to keep an eye on their children. Be aware of what's going on and everything," she says. Because it's going to be a long year when it comes to this flu. The vaccine for the general public is expected to be available in a few weeks.
- Two Memphis School Students have died from H1N1
- System won't report individual cases
- System says call 416-2569 for questions or reports on swine flu
(Memphis 9/30/2009) This is a virus that breaks the rules.
The young ones, the ones that seem so healthy and full of life, they are the ones most at risk when it comes to H1N1. It's a virus that spreads quickly, and can attack a child's body with lightening speed. "Everything changed quickly," Tammy Kashif Bryant said about her 16 year old son. "It just went from him riding his dirt bike and the next thing I know, he was sick."
It could happen to anyone. That's what makes this "swine flu" so serious. Tammy's son went from fine, to some aches and pains, to a fever. The fever lasted only one day, but the aches and pains and the coughing got worse. He was diagnosed as having the H1N1 virus. Tammy thinks it's her responsibility to let everybody know. "I want to know everything," she said. "I want to be able to make my own decisions and know what to look for."
There are federal laws that keep school officials from talking about a student's individual medical condition. But the Memphis City School system did sent out letters to all parents this year, informing them of the symptoms of the "swine flu". The administration is following the same course that the Center for Disease Control is doing. The CDC has stopped reporting individual cases of H1N1 as well.
That might be the official policy, but just like all policies, there are plenty of folks who disagree with it. "I want to be informed," says Yvonne Maxwell, the mother of a Cordova High student. "My son has special needs, and so he's at risk. He's already had a flu shot, but he's about to get his H1N1 shot."
Bonnie Harker's granddaughter has had, and recovered from, H1N1 already. She says people just need to keep an eye on their children. Be aware of what's going on and everything," she says. Because it's going to be a long year when it comes to this flu. The vaccine for the general public is expected to be available in a few weeks.
