The beginning of the school year is an exciting time, but it's also a time when we need to take extra measures to keep our children - and ourselves - healthy. The 2009 H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, is considered by many health officials to be a serious threat, and no one can predict with certainty how grave it may become in coming months. Right now, most of the illness we are seeing is mild. However, we have already had one death in the State from this flu, so we are watching it closely. Sadly, every year in the United States, 36,000 people die from seasonal flu, so we always take the flu seriously.

The symptoms are similar to seasonal influenza outbreaks, with fever of 100 degrees or higher, runny nose, cough, sore throat, aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. And, like other flu viruses, it is highly contagious and easily spread through coughing, sneezing, or contact with someone with the disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and vaccine manufacturers are already developing a vaccine to fight H1N1, with delivery scheduled to begin in the fall. The Arkansas Health Department plans to provide these shots to all Arkansans who would like to be vaccinated, with those considered at high-risk inoculated first. That group includes pregnant women; health-care and emergency medical services workers; people ages 6 months to 24 years; caregivers for infants under six-months-old; and those ages 25 to 64 who have chronic health conditions.

Families should be sure to get the seasonal flu vaccine, which will be distributed in schools as well as in local clinics in mid-October. The seasonal flu shot will not, however, protect against H1N1 flu.

I know parents are worried, and that is why it's critical to be proactive with your family's health. Thankfully, the virus hasn't been as dangerous as originally feared, but it could mutate into a more serious strain. Without a vaccine yet available, the current goal is to slow the rate of infection by isolating sick people and giving them time to recuperate.

I encourage anyone with flu symptoms to practice common-sense measures. Stay home from work or school, so that you can recover and not infect others; cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; use an alcohol-based hand cleaner; and wash your hands often.

The CDC advises that closing schools with H1N1 cases is not the best option. Instead, parents, teachers and school administrators should encourage children to practice good hygiene and keep them out of school when sick. School staff should routinely clean areas touched by students and staff. At the college level, the close living environment of dormitories can encourage the spread of disease.

Remember the three c's: clean, cover, and contain. Wash your hands often, cover your mouth when you sneeze, and contain your germs by staying home if you're sick. You may wish to keep yourself updated on the State Health Department's response to H1N1 by visiting www.healthyarkansas.com. We're all in this together, and we'll get through it by hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.