A case of H1N1, often misidentified as "swine flu," has been reportedly contracted by a member of the United Memorial Medical Center staff, according to Randy Garney, interim director of the health department for Genesee County.
Citing privacy concerns, UMMC spokeswoman Colleen Flynn said she could not share any information about the reported case. Flynn did confirm that a memo was sent to employees on Tuesday.
Garney indicated people should not dwell too much on where a case might be found, but realize H1N1 is prevalent throughout the state.
"The general public should realize it's here," Garney said.
People, he said, are largely unaware of how widespread H1N1 is at this point because most cases are never severe enough to lead to the person seeking medical attention.
But if you have flu-like symptoms, you have H1N1.
"It's considered H1N1 right now because we're beyond the flu season," Garney said. "If anybody has those symptoms, they should consider it H1N1."
Flu symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, chills and extreme tiredness.
While H1N1 is pervasive throughout New York, the fatality rate is very low, less than .1 percent.
"The more troubling part of H1N1 is that it's being more aggressive with five- to 21-year-olds," Garney said. "Flu is usually more aggressive with people over 65, but H1N1 is not bearing this out."
Because H1N1 is such a new strain, Garney said, there is still much scientists are trying to learn about the strain. It's possible that older people at one time contracted a variant of the strain in their younger years and now have some level of immunity.
Garney reiterated that people with flu-like symptoms should stay home and avoid as much as possible and avoid unnecessary contact with other people. Also, wash your hands and maintain other sanitary practices.
