First Baptist youth group hit by swine flu on church trip

GAINESVILLE - Swine flu has hit some members of the youth group at Gainesville's First Baptist Church.

According to Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Coates, members of the group were exposed early last week when they went to a camp in North Carolina. Apparently, some infected campers from another church in another state came into contact with the First Baptist campers.

"So, by Friday morning one of our kids had begun to show some symtoms," said Dr. Coates. "When they got home Friday afternoon, the parents got the child to the doctor; it was confirmed H1N1 virus."

Dr. Coates said the student is being treated with Tamiflu and is getting better.

In addition to the student, the youth pastor from First Baptist and another adult chaperone on the trip became ill with flu-like symptoms. They are also recuperating.