Doctor says he's seeing a lot of juvenile flu cases

GAINESVILLE - A peditrician in Gainesville says 25 percent of the patients he's seeing with flu-like symptoms do, in fact, have the flu... and he says its important that kids with such symptons see a doctor for their well-being and that of others.

The doctor called Gainesville City Schools Superintendent Merriane Dyer Friday morning after our story about the high number of students who are missing school because of such illnesses as well as strep throat. Dr. Dyer says the absenteeism rate is running three times what they usually see this time of year.

"Every one of our schools has about three times as many students absent as we would have on a normal day," she said.

Typically, high absenteeism from flu-like illnesses does not occur until late January or February, according to Dyer. She said most students who have been absent have been suffering with flu-like symptoms. She said there have also been high instances of strep throat.

Dyer said she's hoping the Thanksgiving break will slow down the sharing of germs in the school buildings.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/11/233904