BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Some parents worry that their child might have the swine flu, and they're upset that they can't get the girl tested.

Kern County Public Health officials say they're testing only patients hospitalized with possible H1N1 flu, and that's only to track the illness.

Parent Joe Rivera had hoped to know what was making 10-year-old Alexis so sick. She's had a cough and fever since Sunday, with her temperature up to 103 degrees at time.

Rivera's wife took the girl to the doctor, and says she was told Alexis might have the flu -- and it could be swine flu. But, the doctor said it was pointless to do a test.

"The county wouldn't submit it if it's under 104 degrees of fever," Rivera said. "That's what got me."

At the Kern County Public Health Department lab, director Dr. Michael Lancaster says that's not exactly right.

"One of the criteria (for analyzing a test) is a fever, and the fever has to be over 100. But further, right now we've actually narrowed that to actually being a hospitalized patient."

The director said Kern's lab is following state guidelines.

"All of the tests are actually done purely for surveillance, that is -- to see if the influenza is here," Lancaster says.

Lancaster says the state tests are free, and they're done at a lab in Tulare County in this region.

On Wednesday, there were about a half-dozen specimens in the lab waiting to be sent to Tulare. The public health department Web site now shows 19 patients hospitalized in Kern County so far this year with confirmed H1N1, and one person has died.

Lancaster said both H1N1 and the regular "seasonal" flu have similar symptoms and treatment, so there's no need to use the test for diagnosis of individual patients.

But, patients can get a swine flu test from a private lab, though that costs about $300.

The dad said he wanted to know if Alexis has the swine flu.

"I just want to make sure that that's not it, if it is -- get her treated before it gets any worse. I don't want to end up in the emergency (room)," Rivera said. "I'm hearing stories about having fatalities out there."

Lancaster said health officials need to battle the "fear" about H1N1 flu, and says it's important to be diligent about both types of the illness. They can both be dangerous for some people, though swine flu seems to be harder on the young and middle-aged people than the regular flu -- which is worst for infants and the elderly.

The health department is stressing their "flu fighter" tips. For both types of flu, remember the three Cs for protection: Cover your cough, clean your hands frequently and confine yourself if you are sick.

There will be a specific vaccine for the H1N1 flu, and Kern County officials hope to have supplies of it here by mid-October.

Joe Rivera has been giving Alexis over-the-counter medicine to help with her cough and high fever. That was the doctor's recommendation, who also said to keep Alexis out of school until the fever is completely over.

That's the same advice from the lab director. Lancaster said if you do come down with either type of flu -- what you need to do is about the same.

"Take some analgesic for aches and pains, and just rest until your fever breaks, and stay away from work or from school for a while," Lancaster says.