There have been reported cases of the H1N1 flu virus here along with a lot of confusion. Our children's school, Latino-Americano, closed for a week after a surge in absentees in some grades. One of the sixth grade classes had all but 4 kids out sick. This prompted a call to the health ministry which suggested the closing. Another private school in the area, who did not want to reveal their identity, was rumored to have a similar situation and would close too. Although plenty of people were speculating, a week after we're still not sure which school, if any, closed.
A friend who's son goes to a parochial school nearby said yesterday they were closing Thursday for possibly 5 days. Taking advantage of today's holiday (birthday of Artigas) and the weekend, they will open again Tuesday. We had heard the incubation period is one week, so I'm not sure what 5 days accomplishes.
Our youngest, Vincent spent the week off with what seemed like a flu. A doctor's visit confirmed it, but they did not say it was Swine Flu and indeed the symptoms seem milder than what's been reported. Some parents said initially the health ministry was sending people in bio-hazard suits to test kids thought to be infected.
We were told of the kids tested from the school, only 3 had the swind flu. No one has died and from what we see and hear, no one is getting very ill.
What's confusing is that this flu is reported to have been deadly. People are nervous about it and in some cases acting irrationally because of what's been reported. There has been influenza this season, maybe more than usual. Maybe just more caution that usual, keeping kids home just in case?
Hard to say. Vincent was sick for a week and is doing fine now. Seems like we know as little now as before.
