9 more flu-related deaths reported in Colorado

H1N1 SPECIAL SECTION
FIND A FLU CLINIC
DENVER - Nine more flu-related deaths have been reported in Colorado, bringing the total number of deaths this season to 34.
- 'Am I immune?' and other flu questions answered

The state reported Wednesday that about 1,550 people have been hospitalized with the flu this season.

About 900 of those have been confirmed as swine flu, or H1N1, but health officials have said that's the only strain of influenza they have seen so far this year.

The latest statistics are for the week that ended Saturday.

People in the 25 to 49 age group account for 14 of the 34 deaths reported this year. The number of deaths among those 18 and under was unchanged at seven.

Monitoring by Kaiser Permanente hospitals and clinics showed a decline in flu-like cases in the Denver-Boulder area for the third straight week.

If you're experiencing flu-like symptoms, but aren't sure if it's in fact H1N1, there's now a quicker test you can take right in your doctors office.

At National Jewish Health here in Denver, they are offering a molecular test for the H1N1 virus that can give your doctor results in 24 hours.

This is different than the rapid test that you can find in your doctors office. That rapid test isn't very accurate, but until now it was the best test available that gave results quickly.

The one at National Jewish Health is a very accurate test that can tell whether you have the H1N1 flu or the seasonal flu. Your health care provider can obtain a nasal swab right in their office, and send it to National Jewish Health for the 24 hour turn around.

For most of us, since treatment is the same, it doesn't really matter which flu you have, but according to Dr. Chris Czaja at National Jewish Health, for certain groups, this test and knowing if they have the H1N1 flu is important, especially since those presenting with the pandemic influenza tend to have atypical, or different symptoms.

And for those people having underlying lung disease, asthma or COPD, it may be important to know if they have the flu and/or something else. And according to Czaja, this is especially important for those admitted to any facility.

With its 24 hour turnaround, this test can help your doctor decide if you need the medicine Tamiflu or if just supportive care, including lots of fluids and rest, along with ibuprofen or acetaminophen to control fevers, can do the trick.

To find flu clinics, you can visit the Colorado Adult Immunization Coalition's Web site at http://www.immunizecolorado.com/findAFluClinic_h1n1Vaccine.asp, or the Tri-County Health Department's Web site at http://www.tchd.org/.