Parents; tis the season for the flu. Although the recent years have had many different strains of flu, this year as mostly everyone knows the H1N1 virus has become widely spread through out much of the USA and other foreign countries. Though this is a scary time for many parents, pregnant mothers and young adults there are many precautions one might take to prevent the spread of it. As many already know,

hand washing is very important to prevent the spread of germs. If you use public facilities, take extra care in turning off the faucets and opening the doors. If paper towels aren't present carry hand sanitizer if possible and use when necessary. If you have to sneeze, do so into the crease of your arm and not your hands. While shopping in grocery and retail stores carry a small package of antibacterial hand

wipes. In many cases now the stores are providing them for your convenience. If you are experiencing symptoms of the flu, stay at home. Do not automatically assume you have the H1N1 virus as there are many strains circulating right now. If you are in one of the high risk categories and are suffering of symptoms related to the H1N1 call your doctor asap. They have a simple swab test they can do if

in fact you have it and can give you the results in the office. The main thing is not to panic and to be educated. If symptoms persist or worsen and it becomes hard to breath, etc. then of coarse by all means, go to the ER but in some instances they are experiencing a heavy influx of patients and wait times may be extensive. There is a website for Pa that you can go on if you have any questions or symptoms

and want more information regarding the flu instances in our state. The web address is; www.dsf.health.state.pa.us. Though the H1N1 is scary, you must recognize that many, many more people die every year from influenza and complications from it. People who have died

sometimes have had more serious underlying medical conditions. That's not to say that a healthy person can't die from flu, it's just less likely if the symptoms are treated before they become more serious.

Wishing everyone here in Pa and around the world a healthy holiday season as it approaches!