Additionally, the Department of Public Health and Hygienic Lab will continue a flu tracking system first used last year. Seventeen physician offices and 17 schools scattered throughout the state are cooperating in the system. The physicians will take specimens from suspected cases and send them for testing. The schools will report absenteeism rates. That information is valuable both to track influenza severity and because anti-viral drugs can be used for persons at risk if exposed certain strains of the flu.
Influenza is characterized by a high fever, headache, fatigue, chest discomfort and cough.
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