Despite Texas' 43 confirmed cases of swine flu -- now referred to by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as "Influenza A (H1N1)" -- medical and emergency management professionals insist citizens do not need to panic.

Dr. James Cain, a physician at Family Medicine Clinic, said people can take sensible actions to protect themselves but should remain calm.

Covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, frequently washing hands with soap and water, using alcohol-based sanitizers and staying home when ill can limit the transmission of Influenza A (H1N1), which is being passed from human to human, Family Medicine Clinic said in a statement.

"The main thing to remember is that so far we have not seen evidence that this virus is as dangerous as some in the past have been, and there is no need to be afraid," the clinic said in its statement.

Family Medicine Clinic is emphasizing early detection by using Rapid Influenza A testing, Cain said. A positive test of a swab indicates only that the swab contains a type A influenza virus, the doctor said.

Positive swabs are sent to the Texas Department of State Health Services for culture testing, Cain said.

The main antiviral medications, including Tamiflu and Relenza, have proven fairly effective in treating infections in Mexico and New York, Cain said. Antiviral medications decrease the severity of an infection and help prevent the spread of influenza.

A vaccination program for Influenza A (H1N1) has not been created yet, the physician added.

In recent years, the United States has averaged about 36,000 deaths annually from influenza-related complications -- nearly 100 per day -- according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak, however, only one person in the United States has died.

At press time, the Lampasas Independent School District had not canceled any classes, although interim Superintendent Rex Daniels said school officials have discussed what procedures to implement if they deem campus closures necessary. "Hopefully, it won't get to the point that we have to close school, but if we have to we will," Daniels said.

LISD health coordinator Jamie Jones has been in contact with health officials throughout the county, Daniels said, and Mrs. Jones has not received notification of positive Influenza A cases in the immediate area.

District officials last week distributed Influenza A information letters for students to take home.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security decided on Wednesday to refer to the virus as "Influenza A (H1N1)." The U.S. Department of Agriculture also recommended the change, according to information provided by Tarleton State University, to reduce confusion about pork products.

"It is interesting how names of diseases get started," said Dr. Don Cawthon, dean of Tarleton State University's College of Agriculture and Human Sciences. "While the current flu outbreak may be the result of a mutated form of virus once associated with swine, this strain likely did not originate from swine since it has not been detected in any pigs in the United States or anywhere else.

"We need to understand that swine products are safe and that the spread of the disease is much more likely through human-to-human contact than from pig to human," Cawthon added.

Influenza A (H1N1) is not spread through food, and consumers may continue to eat pork.

Texas AgriLife Extension recommends a number of precautions to help hog farmers keep their workers and animals safe.

• Workers should shower before entering swine facilities. Clothes worn on the farm should not be worn off the farm.

• Workers with flu symptoms should stay home and see a doctor immediately.

• Only workers and essential service people should enter a farm, and international visitors should not be permitted to visit the agricultural site.

• Animal facilities should be well ventilated so inside air is recirculated as little as possible.

• Vaccinate swine against the influenza virus.

• Contact a veterinarian if hogs show signs of flu or respiratory illness, especially if the onset and symptoms seem unusual. Then notify the Texas Animal Health Commission at (800) 550-8242. The commission will help investigate human cases of flu that may be linked to swine in Texas.