MUSC has seen H1N1 virus in some patients
by Office of Public Relations
As of Sept. 2, MUSC has seen 13 patients confirmed by the South
Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) as
having novel influenza A H1N1, also known as swine flu. No students
have been diagnosed with H1N1 as of this same date.
There is no rapid test for H1N1. Currently H1N1 may be diagnosed by
obtaining a culture for influenza. If the culture is positive for
influenza A and the patient is hospitalized, the culture can be sent
for identification of H1N1 to the state.
Regular rapid influenza antigen testing (not H1N1) has a sensitivity of
about 80 percent as claimed by the test manufacturers, but this
percentage can be less accurate outside of flu season. The best
sensitivity of the tests for seasonal influenza occurs during the
winter. The more people that are sick with influenza, the more likely
an antigen test is going to truly be positive.
Due to the low sensitivity of the rapid antigen tests, it would be more
beneficial to save money that would be spent on a rapid antigen test
and buy Tamiflu instead for a influenza-like illnesses.
MUSC’s Student Health Services is taking steps to upload a new Web
calculator that students and others could use to plug in symptoms they
are having. The program would then tell them “this sounds like a cold,
do x,” or if you fall into a risk group and are having certain
symptoms, “call your doctor and do y.”
Tips for staying healthy
- Cover your cough/sneeze with your sleeve, and throw used tissues in the trash.
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Stay home if you’re sick.
- Call your doctor if you’re really sick.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2009