“During the deadly 1918 Pandemic, the first wave, which hit in the spring, was mild,” Grant said. “But the disease roared back in a more virulent form in the fall.”

Authorities are closely monitoring what the pandemic is doing now in the Southern Hemisphere, where the annual flu season is under way.

“What happens there may give us an idea of what to expect here this fall with seasonal flu,” Grant said. “We hope a vaccine will be available by then, but there is no guarantee.”

Fight the flu

For now the best defense against swine flu is to practice measures that help prevent the spread of any infectious disease:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay home until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours.

• Keep sick children at home.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• Stay informed - the situation may change rapidly, so listen for Public Health alerts and recommendations.

For more information about swine flu (H1N1), go online to www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org or visit the CDC Web site, www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.