In this week's "What's Going Around," doctors are closely watching the H1N1 pandemic as it spreads through the Valley.

Dr. Stephen Haering says the number of cases that have already been confirmed is just the tip of the iceberg. On Wednesday, the Virginia Health Department reported the second death associated with the virus.

The first case of H1N1 was confirmed in Rockingham County last week. Central Shenandoah Health Department Epidemiologist Jonathan Falk says there are 14 confirmed cases in the district.

Rockingham Memorial Hospital has tested for and confirmed three cases of H1N1 since last week. All three patients were treated for mild symptoms and released. A spokesman says you don't need to be hospitalized for H1N1 unless the symptoms are severe.

"Symptoms that would require hospitalization would include severe respiratory illness or any other complicating problems like kidney problems or central nervous system problems," says Medical Director of Primary Care Services at RMH Stephen Phillips.

In the Northern Valley, the Lord Fairfax Health District reports five cases, but District Director Dr. Steven Haering says he knows there are many more people with H1N1 in the Valley.

Doctors only test a small number of patients for the disease including people younger than five, older than 65 or those meet certain limited health criteria.

Physicians say most patients who come to them with a fever, sore throat, cough or runny nose have H1N1. If those patients are healthy, they're being treated for the symptoms and told to stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others.

Doctors in Harrisonburg and Waynesboro report seeing more cases of Influenza A, which usually ends up being H1N1. You may have also heard it referred to as "novel Influenza A."

Waynesboro pediatrician Dr. Pete Devries says they have treated a few H1N1 cases this week.