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The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency said it is working with the state health department to respond to outbreaks of flu-like symptoms at Patrick Henry and Del Mar high schools this week.
Dr. Cameron Kaiser, the county’s public health officer, said about 40% of students at those campuses stayed home Wednesday, the most recent date available. Some preliminary tests on students are positive for influenza A.
“But it’s important to note that the state is involved. We certainly reported it to them. I’m sure they’re discussing it with their federal counterparts,” Kaiser said. “But now it’s against the baseline of what we expected to happen, and that’s what we want people to be prepared for.”
Kaiser cautioned that the current outbreak is not limited to these high schools, but said school outbreaks are more pronounced because administrators control attendance.
“If you want to see large numbers of people getting sick in a geographic area, you’re going to start seeing it hit schools first,” he said. Keeping close tabs on the stats.
The county says the flu is already spreading quickly in the community, and it’s only getting worse. So officials are urging everyone to get a flu shot — especially people who are more vulnerable.
“We’re seeing a much higher number of influenza cases than we’ve seen in October in the county,” Kaiser said. “It’s important for people to realize that if it walks like a duck, if it walks like a duck, it’s probably a duck, and we already expected it to be a bad flu season. And everything is falling into place.”
Dr. Teresa Hardisty, a pediatrician at Sharp Rees-Stealy, told KPBS that influenza A is particularly severe. After a few years of pandemic precautions, not everyone’s immune system is ready for this, she said.
“The natural immunity in the population is down, and the flu is not spreading as much,” Hardisty said. “And people are coming in with high fevers, severe coughs, aches and low-grade fevers. Usually with the flu, the fever lasts four or five days and can get up to 104 or 105, so people are very uncomfortable.”
Hardisty said the flu vaccine gives the body an “early warning,” so if someone does get the flu, it’s a milder case.
“[The flu] It’s rampant in the community, so if you can reduce the incidence of the disease by getting the vaccine early, I think that’s an important way for you to do that. It may have a low natural immune system,” Hardisty said.
She said she has seen the worst in medically fragile children, children under 1 and children with asthma and other illnesses. She urges parents to vaccinate children when they are old enough. And, “I recommend more caution with exposure to large indoor groups. [and] In societies with current epidemics.”
When this is not the case, she said masks can be used on older children and advises parents to talk to their doctors about medications that can protect their children.
For those who are sick, plenty of rest and healthy foods are key to recovery, she said.
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