Local health officials have reported mild cases of the H1N1 flu, also known as swine flu, in Georgia and encourage citizens to exercise healthy hygiene as the virus becomes more “pervasive” this fall.

The ongoing spread of the H1N1 flu throughout Georgia is expected to usher in an unusual kind of flu season this year, Governor Sonny Perdue recently said in a press release addressing H1N1’s affect on the regular flu season. In a dual effort with the state, health officials have to prepare for the regular seasonal flu and grapple with increasing H1N1 flu cases within the upcoming months.

Therefore, the state emphasizes everyone should get flu immunizations this year, which could be a big jump considering that only 40 percent of state residents received a flu shot last year, according to Northwest Georgia Public Health spokesman Logan Boss. He says the prediction of rising H1N1 flu cases has prompted physicians to implement more preventive measures when administering the regular flu shot. Instead of giving patients one injection, physicians will administer three shots to help reduce the spread of infection.

“We’re encouraging everyone to get the flu shot this year. The less doctors have to deal with the flu, the more attention they will be able to give toward swine flu patients,” he said.

Meanwhile, Boss says Georgia, like every other state in the country, still awaits the arrival of the H1N1 flu vaccination, which he says should be available sometime this fall.

“It will be offered for free on a volunteer basis for high-risk groups, such as younger adults, pregnant women, children, and it will also be made available for the elderly,” he added.

To date, there have been 147 hospitalizations and four deaths in the state as a result of the H1N1 flu outbreak, Boss said. The virus hit even closer to home after one H1N1 flu case was confirmed involving one Haralson County Middle School student.

“Last Thursday, we were informed by the Northwest Georgia Public Health office that a student at Haralson County Middle School was diagnosed with a confirmed case of H1N1,” said Haralson County Schools Spokesperson Kersha Cartwright. “We were told to treat the diagnosis the same way we would treat seasonal flu. Students, parents and faculty were encouraged to use good hygiene practices, such as frequent hand-washing and covering your nose and mouth when sneezing. The student was not hospitalized and is recovering at home.”

Like many other school systems throughout the state, Cartwright says Haralson County schools could possibly see more cases in the future. Boss noted that is the only case that has been confirmed in Haralson County so far, but at this point, concerns about the H1N1 flu is beyond numbers since the virus has reached such a wide-spread level.

“It’s beyond keeping a size count now since the H1N1 virus has circulated in communities throughout Georgia,” he explained. “It will get more pervasive as we get into fall. Now we’re looking for changes in the severity of the virus.”

Therefore, he stressed the importance of good hygiene, noting that elderly citizens and children should especially have flu vaccinations, which can be arranged by a primary care physician. The state has also loosened student absenteeism policies so sick students can make a full recovery at home if they exhibit flu-like symptoms, such as a sore throat, fever or a runny nose.

For more information about H1N1 flu and seasonal flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at www.cdc.gov.