My daughter was tested and positive for influenza A. They did not do the H1N1 test because they are reserving that for patients that are hospitalized. She did have all the symptoms and her fever came on suddenly. The pediatrician gave her Tami-flu and also gave it to my son because it spreads so easily. The trick to the Tami-flu is to get it started within the first 24 hours of symptoms. She got sick on Wednesday and back at school on Monday.

The school (middle school) has the grades separated and her grade was the first to get it, the next week was the next, etc. I did call the school to tell them she was positive and they said it was the first that they knew about. 90% of all the grades had been out sick and they only gave information stating strep. I was angry especially with the elementary school teachers telling me the exact opposite...it was the flu.

My daughter did ask if she was "going to die" because of the illness. She was not understanding that since she is healthy and we got her started on the Tami-flu so quickly that she would be fine.

Being in the medical field, there is a lot of hype and a lot of nerves being stirred up. There was a post earlier that stated there are so many people that die from the flu each year...this is true! Most of the fatalities from H1N1 have underlying health conditions, weakened immune systems...just do what the OP said, frequent hand washing...the best method to prevent transmission.