Dr. Brad answers your H1N1 questions

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Missoula County is holding a H1N1 clinic at Sentinel High School on Sunday, this time targeting school children. (see related story)

The virus is still making headlines, and making people sick. And our chief medical correspondent, Dr. Brad Pickhardt, is answering more of your questions about the H1N1 flu.

The first question being addressed is how accurate the H1N1 flu testing is.

Dr. Brad: If you're pregnant or sick enough to be hospitalized, the rapid H1N1 test is accurate about 60% of the time. If you're in the high risk group anyway and get sick, they're going to give you antiviral's anyway. if you're previously healthy and get sick, they probably won't test you and just tell you to go home, stay away from people and get better.

Another question submitted was: what is the current recommendation for time off from work?

Dr. Brad: The CDC (Centers for Disease Control), says you should stay away for 24 hours after your last fever of 100 degrees or more. And if you're a health care worker, you need to stay away for five days.

The third question: How can nutrition help?

Dr. Brad: There's no evidence junk food hurts, but what's important is to have a healthy, well- balanced diet heavy in fresh fruits and vegetables and take a multivitamin--not individual supplements, because you might miss out on something you need. So, a multivitamin is the way to go.

Additional information about the H1N1 flu can be found by clicking here.