Updated at: 09/30/2009 10:58 AM | KSAX.com
By: Megan Matthews
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Public Heath Officials: H1N1 not Widespread in Douglas County, But Neither is Testing

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Minn.- H1N1 is in the Douglas County Community, according to Public Health Director Sandy Tubbs, but she believes the virus is not widespread and neither is the testing for it.

"No one will be tested for H1N1 virus.  There's just so much influenza-like illness around, and the laboratory at the Minnesota Department of Public Health cannot possibly handle all of those tests," explained Tubbs.

The question is: how will people know if they have the virus. 

"They won't know that they actually have H1N1.  What they will know is that they have influenza," said Tubbs.

It doesn't matter if you don't know whether or not you have the seasonal flu or H1N1, because the treatment is the same for both viruses.  You have to wait it out, according to the Douglas County Department of Public Health.

Another important tip is to stay home even if that means not going to your doctor's office.

"You're going to feel like, 'I should go and see my primary care provider.'  For the most part that's not necessary," explained Tubbs.

Pregnant women, children and care providers need to be more cautious if they get sick.  If the patient has underlying health problems, such as asthma or shows signs of dehydration or behavior changes, it is important to call your doctor to see if you need to come in.

"Rather than expose everyone else at the clinic we're just encouraging people to call your provider, and they will let you know whether you should be coming in or not," said Tubbs.

The H1N1 vaccine should be arriving in the state of Minnesota soon, but Tubbs doesn't expect a mass distribution of the vaccine until some time in November.

Written for the web by Megan Matthews

megan@ksax.com