Monday’s Dekalb County Health Department press release confirmed that the recent death of a teenager was related to the Swine Flu. This is the first death of a DeKalb County resident related to the virus.

“The Health Department is investigating whether the student had any underlying medical conditions contributing to the death,” the press release said. “Fatalities due to influenza continue to occur, especially but not exclusively when there are underlying medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness.”

According to the statement, the teenager had not started school this year “due to illness.”

The health department urges residents to mind what they refer to as the “3C’s” — clean, cover and contain. People should wash their hands regularly to avoid spreading germs, cover their mouths and nose when they cough or sneeze (with a tissue or sleeve, not their hands) and stay home from school or work if they are sick.

“I would say those are the most important things someone can do,” said Karen Grush, public health administrator with the DeKalb County Health Department.

When considering whether to see a doctor, residents should consider the time of year.

“It is too early for the seasonal flu,” Grush said. “At this point, flu-like symptoms are probably H1N1.”

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated there have been more than a million cases of the virus in the United States.

“In Illinois, there have been 20 deaths due to H1N1 influenza in 2009, with six deaths under the age of 24 reported,” the department’s release stated.

Grush also stressed that, according to the CDC, this is the same virus that has been circulating since April; this is not a new strain and the severity has not changed. Most commonly, the virus presents itself as common illness, Grush said.

All comments are moderated before being published. We will not edit your comments, but we also will not approve those that are abusive, off-topic, attack another poster or contain information we know to be libelous or false.

During peak weekday viewing times, most comments will be reviewed within six hours. For more detailed information, click here.

After submitting your comment, check below for a confirmation message.

• Your name:
• Enter text from image:
  

• Your comment:

* 300-character count. HTML formatting will not display.