The first case of swine flu, or "Influenza A (H1N1)," at Rollins Brook Community Hospital has been confirmed, but medical officials are reassuring area residents they do not need to panic.

"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," said a statement issued by Family Medicine Clinic, where Dr. James Cain saw the H1N1 patient.

The male patient who caught the H1N1 virus received treatment shortly after returning with a group of Lampasas-area youth from a church camp. The youth was treated with antivirals, and he was placed in hospital isolation for 24 hours.

"All the appropriate precautions had been taken," Cain said of the patient's care at Rollins Brook. "I was quite impressed with the hospital."

Cain said the youth's symptoms did not appear as serious as those of some of the routine flu patients he has treated.

"Certainly I see people all the time much sicker than this child," Cain said.

The doctor said the main reason H1N1 flu attracts so much media attention is that medical and scientific professionals closely monitor that type of virus to watch for changes. So far, the virus has not mutated to the point that it is particularly quick to spread, Cain said.

"As of right now, this type of virus is just not that aggressive," he said.

Cain 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.

Residents should contact their doctor, Cain said, if they experience typical flu symptoms -- such as fever of 100 degrees or higher, joint pain, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

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 to determine the specific type of the virus, Cain said.

The main antiviral medications have proven fairly effective in treating infections, 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 said.

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 confirmation April 15 of the United States' first H1N1 case, however, only 170 people in the U.S. have died, according to CDC figures released Thursday. During that time, 17 H1N1-related deaths have been recorded in Texas.