Dr. Wojo. Healthy Living. Simplified.

While cases of swine flu caused by the H1N1 virus are decreasing and its severity appears to be lessening, the CDC will continue to monitor the progress of this infectious disease - with a special focus on the Southern Hemisphere as their flu season kicks in during in next few months. As things heat up in the Northern Hemisphere, we generally see a break in the flu season because the flu virus tends to do best in cold and dry conditions. However, if you or your child are ill, it is still important that you stay home and avoid contact with others to prevent spreading your illness. See your health care provider so they can determine whether or not you in fact have Swine Flu - but wear a mask to the clinic. And if your child is ill, keep your child home.

Is swine flu gone for good? Certainly not. Remember, this is a new virus and the human population has not developed immunity to it. In previous cases of new viral outbreaks of flu - those in 1918, 1957 and 1968 - there was resurgence of the flu in the cooler seasons. In all three cases, the initial viral outbreak was mild, with more severe outbreaks months later.

Is H1N1 the same as the virus that killed about 30 million people in 1918? No. According to the CDC, the 2009 H1N1 lacks a gene that is found in the highly virulent flu viruses. People should also remember that health care has come a long way since 1918 and that the CDC will be monitoring cases of H1N1 in the next few months in order to determine what steps need to be taken, as well as working to develop a suitable vaccine.

Will there be a vaccine for H1N1 ready for fall? According to the CDC, it takes five to six months to prepare. The vaccine would then be tested on people. Working with the CDC, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is preparing to test the 2009 N1H1 vaccine. It has not yet been determined whether the N1H1 vaccine will be combined with the seasonal flu shot.

As for who would receive the H1N1 vaccine, it is standard procedure to vaccinate health care workers who are at risk for greatest exposure, as well as the elderly, the young and those with chronic diseases who are at greater risk for complications associated with the flu.