The symptoms of swine flu are very similar to those of seasonal flu. The different strains of influenza seem to affect people in pretty much the same ways.

The first key symptom is a high fever. The fever may be mild but can also rapidly increase to a dangerous temperature. In an adult, an oral temperature over 100 degrees F is considered a fever, and in children a rectal temperature over 100.4 degrees F. Fevers over 103 degrees begin to be dangerous. A spiking fever, rapid onset and rapid increase to a high temperature, is also a sign of danger. Headache and chills may accompany the fever. CDC WebMD Mayo Clinic

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The latest report from the New York State Department of Health on the influenza situation outside of New York City shows a dramatic increase in visits to hospital emergency rooms for flu like illnesses in Upstate New York. The October 24 report shows nearly a 50% increase in such visits from the October 17 report. The Hudson Valley and Long Island regions show a much smaller increase.

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Flu is a killer. In past epidemics in the United States, as many as 5% of those with the disease have died. Public Health officials estimate that about 36,000 people die each year in the U.S. from the flu and related illnesses.

In temperate climates like the United States, influenza is seasonal. Beginning in November and running until March of the following year, influenza cases multiply. In more tropical climes, influenza is seen year round.

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CBS News Exclusive: Study Of State Results Finds H1N1 Not As Prevalent As Feared

Chuck Simmins states:

I looked at the story and my jaw dropped. Without any research at all, I could tell something was wrong with their numbers.

CBS graphic for story on confirmed H1N1 testing

These numbers are supposed to be through late July, when the CDC asked the states to change their reporting. As we have shown in our prior reports, many of the states had ceased reporting case numbers long before.

Florida:

• Florida had stopped publicly posting case counts before Memorial Day in May, 2009. The numbers in the table were updated with the CDC’s count.
• CBS states that by the end of July, Florida had examined 8,853 specimens and only 17% were positive for H1N1. That means the CBS number of confirmed cases at that point is 1,505.
• However, based on the cases reported to the CDC by July 17, Florida had 2,188 confirmed cases.

California:

• CBS is reporting that California had examined 13,704 specimens and only 2% were H1N1. That makes the CBS case count 274.
• On July 16, 2009, California was reporting 2,655 confirmed cases and 513 probable cases of swine flu.

Alaska:

• CBS is reporting that Alaska had examined 722 specimens and only 1% were H1N1. That makes the CBS case count 7.
• As of August 31, a month after the apparent cutoff for the CBS data, Alaska reported 460 confirmed cases of swine flu.

Georgia:

• The final state that CBS selected to graph was Georgia. CBS says 3,117 specimens and only 2% were H1N1. That gives CBS a confirmed case count of 62.
• Through July 15, 2009, Georgia reported 178 confirmed cases of swine flu.

From the beginning, we raised questions about the data on swine flu. We noted, and were the media source responsible for correcting, the nearly three week delay in updating California’s numbers. We noted the “lost” cases, where the numbers on the state site were higher than those reported by the CDC.

We have editorialized about the lack of preparedness on the part of public health authorities to handle a large disease outbreak. Their unwillingness to divert resources from other areas such as lead paint abatement and childhood obesity has been noted.

We agree that the decision to stop widespread testing was unwise. We agree that there are a number of influenza like illnesses (ILI) circulating.

But this story by CBS does nothing to advance the cause. The numbers are just plain wrong. The selection of the four states they chose for their graph is also misleading. Alaska and Georgia did not suffer a major outbreak of swine flu in the spring. California’s was mid sized and Florida’s was, as well. If CBS wanted to look at states, Wisconsin, Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington would have been ideal picks. That is where the pandemic took hold the worst.

Here are some of the colleges and universities in Upstate New York, and the latest information they have on their websites about Swine Flu. It is good to see that several of them have received the H1N1 vaccine and are distributing it.

• University at Buffalo (UB):
  

  So far, UB officials are aware of only a small number of cases of influenza-like illnesses on campuses—probably instances of swine flu, Raab says. Still, some offices are taking such precautions as cross-training employees and receiving briefings from information technology specialists on how staff can work and access files on UB servers from home.

• The College at Brockport:
  

  The number of Brockport students with influenza-like illness (10 today) reflect the general trend of increasing flu activity on campus and in the community. Information on vaccine clinics will be available as soon as we receive the vaccine, which is expected in the near future. Symptom severity is unchanged; mild to moderate illness. There have been no known hospitalizations. There have been no particular patterns regarding students’ residences or academic majors. Students who have symptoms of fever, cough and/or sore throat are requested to call the Student Health Center at 585.395.2414 to talk with a nurse.

• Houghton College:
  

  H1N1 remains the prominent circulating influenza strain, and continues to be a significant issue on many campuses. During the week of Oct 3–9 nearly 6,000 new cases of influenza like illness (ILI)—presumed to be H1N1—with 8 hospitalizations, were reported by 259 colleges across the country (ACHA surveillance data). While we have had a handful (or two) of people who have had symptoms consistent with ILI, so far no one on campus (that we are aware of) has tested positive for influenza.

  The Allegany County Department of Health will be on campus this Wednesday, October 21, between 1:30 and 5 p.m. to administer the H1N1 vaccine to all interested students age 24 and under, and to anyone else who meets CDC priority criteria. I strongly encourage you all to take advantage of this opportunity.

• SUNY College at Geneseo:
  

  It is important that we keep an accurate count of our students with Influenza-Like-Illnesses, so please keep us informed!

  SUNY Geneseo has a dedicated team of professionals who have been working closely together for several years to establish an effective plan for handling a pandemic flu outbreak. This team has been monitoring the recommendations of the CDC, WHO, State, and local government health departments to stay current on updated information regarding the HINI virus.

  Although the H1N1 influenza outbreak has not proven to be as severe as expected, Geneseo will continue to take additional precautions to prevent the spread of the flu as much as possible.

• University of Rochester:
  

  The University recorded its first case of influenza-like illness among students this semester on Sept 8th. Three new cases was identified today. The total number of cases identified is now 62. Five students are confined to their rooms at present.

  There are no changes to University of Rochester operations or activities because of public concern worldwide about novel H1N1 influenza.

• Rochester Institute of Technology:
  

  The RIT Student Health Center reported it treated five students with an influenza-like illness between Oct. 12 and Oct. 19. It is difficult to distinguish between seasonal and H1N1 flu. The center has advised these students to recover in their rooms. Students who are ill must self-isolate until they feel well and have had no fever for 24 hours (with out fever-reducing medicine).

• St. John Fisher College
• Elmira College:
  

  At this time there are no students or employees with confirmed cases of H1N1. However, due to the increase in reported Influenza-Like Illness cases in Chemung County and no further testing being done for confirmation of H1N1Flu unless a person is hospitalized, EPIC is initiating the Flu Protocol at this time. The information in the link below provides specific guidelines concerning how Elmira College will respond to the H1N1 Flu on our Campus. Included is a list of expectations of students, parents and employees.

• Syracuse University
• Cornell University:
  

  The first, limited, shipment of H1N1 influenza vaccine arrived at Gannett Health Services late on Friday, Oct. 16. Following CDC guidelines for situations in which vaccine supplies are limited, these initial doses will be targeted to STUDENTS at greatest risk of complications from the flu, including: those with underlying health conditions, those who are pregnant, and/or those who care for infants under 6 months old.

  There is no doubt that your vigilance and thoughtfulness are making a difference in reducing spread of the virus in our community. The number of students with H1N1 influenza has dropped dramatically since the early weeks of the semester. At Gannett, we have been diagnosing 5 to 10 students per day for the past couple of weeks (as compared to 50 to 100 during in early September). Levels of illness in the communities surrounding Cornell are also reported to be low.

Latest Upstate New York data