Tests show schoolkids responsible for spreading swine flu to the rest of the population

Quest Diagnostics, a maker of tests to verify the presence of the H1N1 virus, is asserting that U.S. schoolkids are spreading the H1N1 virus (swine flu) to the rest of the population.

The company makes a test that verifies the presence of the H1N1 virus, or swine flu. The test is a PCR test -- it magnifies the genetic material of the virus so it can be detected and is similar to the tests used by state health departments to confirm H1N1.

Quest says that the tests show that kids between the ages of 5-14 have the highest rates of positive test results for the virus. (The CDC recently reported that data from 27 U.S. states shows 53% of people sick enough to be hospitalized with H1N1 flu are under the age of 25, with only 7% of hospitalizations among people 65 and older.)

The group speculates that the virus is present in children, and then is spread to other members of the family, including parents, grandparents, and caretakers. These people then spread it to others as well.

Additional updates from the CDC:

During the week of October 4-10, 2009, a review of the key indictors found that influenza activity continued to increase in the United States from the previous week. Below is a summary of the most recent key indicators:

* Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) continued to increase in the United States, and overall, are higher than what is expected for this time of the year. ILI activity now is equal to or higher than what is seen at the peak of many regular flu seasons.
* Total influenza hospitalization rates for laboratory-confirmed flu are climbing and are higher than expected for this time of year.
* The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Report has increased and exceeds what is normally expected at this time of year. In addition, 11 flu-related pediatric deaths were reported this week; 10 of these deaths were confirmed 2009 H1N1, and one was influenza A virus, but unsubtyped. Since April 2009, there have been 86 confirmed pediatric 2009 H1N1 deaths; 39 of these have been reported to CDC since August 30, 2009.