LEX18.com - Lexington, KY

Posted: Jan 21, 2010 10:08 PM

January is generally known for snow and sniffles, but this year, doctors are seeing fewer cases of seasonal flu than in years past. They say the reason could be that H1N1 has replaced the seasonal strain.

When patients come to see Dr. Henry West at the Urgent Treatment Center, many could care less about the official name for their flu like symptoms.

"In great part the flu is the flu, whether it's H1N1 or seasonal, in terms of it makes you feel sick, it doesn't really hurt that many people long term. You treat it with the same antiviral drugs," said Dr. West.

But a simple flu test can tell the difference between H1N1 and the seasonal type, and doctors have found that seasonal flu- which generally rears its head this time of year- is virtually non-existent.

"This year so far has not been as big a year for seasonal flu as it was in the past," said Dr. West.

This has been a big year, however, for the swine flu. To date, 33 people in 24 counties in Kentucky have died from H1N1, leading health officials to hypothesize that H1N1 essentially took the place of the seasonal flu.

"The big flu is the H1N1, which is perhaps less severe but more contagious," said Dr. West.

The good news is, be it swine flu or seasonal flu, common sense protects from both.

"Realize that when you cough or sneeze and you do it the way grandma taught you, you've got a handful of germs now," said Dr. West.

While the flu storm seems to have quieted for now, doctors are concerned about a potential resurgence in February.