FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A southern Coconino County teenager who tested positive for swine flu has died, bringing the death toll statewide to nine.
The Coconino County Health Department said on Friday that the boy had been hospitalized in Flagstaff and died earlier this week. He was not identified.
Health officials have confirmed 10 cases of swine flu in Coconino County, and the boy’s death is the first. Coconino County Health Department spokeswoman Trish Lees says the boy had underlying health conditions but would not elaborate
This is the first death in Coconino County of complications from the H1N1 virus. There have been a total of 10 confirmed cases of H1N1 (swine) flu in Coconino County and 729 state-wide. The Arizona Department of Health Services reports a total of 9 deaths associated with this illness.
The symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting in addition to the respiratory symptoms associated with swine flu. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
Health officials advise individuals who develop mild influenza-like-illness (ILI) (fever with either cough or sore throat) to stay at home, to get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Persons who experience more serious symptoms and need to seek medical care should contact their health care providers to report illness (by telephone or other remote means) before seeking care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital. Those with severe symptoms who have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath or are believed to be severely ill should seek immediate medical attention.
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Some of the information in this story came from the Associated Press.
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