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Susan Roberson says she's never been busier in her 15 years working as a nurse practitioner at the Franklin K. Lane High School campus in Cypress Hills. She says over the past two weeks, she's canceled routine physicals to treat dozens of students complaining of flu-like symptoms.

"We see about 60 to 70 patients a day for various complaints. I think because this time it's really been in the media a lot more, more people are aware of what's happening," said Roberson.

Roberson says while she's found cases of strep throat and other illnesses, she hasn't treated anyone with influenza. But she's not taking any chances.

"The first thing we do is check their temperature. If they have a fever, we put them into isolation and call a family member to pick them up. We don't want them in the school if they have a fever," said Roberson.

There are five schools within the one building, with a total of about 3,000 kids, but about half of them have been absent. There's a full medical clinic inside staffed with doctors, nurses, mental health providers and social workers provided by local hospitals. The clinic is funded through a grant and operates under the city and state health departments.

The city is currently looking into a case of a Franklin K. Lane student potentially with H1N1 who has been out of school for more than a week. The students who are still showing up for class are looking for answers.

"It's not fair that they don't let us know. We don't know anything," said Joleen Lopez, an eleventh grader at Franklin K. Lane High School.

"I'm observing the students. If I see a student who has cold symptoms I'll send them to the nurse. And ask them questions. And if I know of anything, I'll tell my other co-workers," said Marilyn Fonken, a teacher at Franklin K. Lane High School.

Roberson says people are taking extra precautions.

"I make sure when I go home I shower because I don't want to give anything to my family. We basically just teach all the kids about hand washing, how you sneeze into your elbow, and make sure that you use Kleenex, and that you don't drink from people's glasses or share things with other people," said Roberson.

Roberson adds that while many students who visit the clinic have real concerns, others are just looking for an excuse to get out of class.

"They had 45 minutes in the clinic, they didn't have to be in their classes so I guess that's good enough," said Roberson.