ATLANTA
- Since it first emerged in April, the global swine flu epidemic has
sickened more than 1 million Americans and killed about 500. It's also
spread around the world, infecting tens of thousands and killing nearly
2,000.

This summer, the virus has been surprisingly tenacious in the U.S.,
refusing to fade away as flu viruses usually do. And health officials
predict a surge of cases this fall, perhaps very soon as schools reopen.

A White House report from an expert panel suggests that from 30
percent to half the population could catch swine flu during the course
of this pandemic and that from 30,000 to 90,000 could die.

So
how worried should you be and how do you prepare? The Associated Press
has tried to boil down the mass of information into 10 things you
should know to be flu-savvy.

1. No cause for panic.

So far, swine flu isn't much more threatening than regular seasonal flu.

During the few months of this new flu's existence, hospitalizations
and deaths from it seem to be lower than the average seen for seasonal
flu, and the virus hasn't dramatically mutated. That's what health
officials have observed in the Southern Hemisphere where flu season is
now winding down.

Still, more people are susceptible to swine flu and U.S. health
officials are worried because it hung in so firmly here during the
summer - a time of year the flu usually goes away.

2. Virus tougher on some.

Swine flu is more of a threat to certain groups - children under 2,
pregnant women, people with health problems like asthma, diabetes and
heart disease. Teens and young adults are also more vulnerable to swine
flu.

Ordinary, seasonal flu hits older people the hardest, but not swine
flu. Scientists think older people may have some immunity from exposure
years earlier to viruses similar to swine flu.

3. Wash your hands often and long.

Like seasonal flu, swine flu spreads through the coughs and sneezes
of people who are sick. Emphasize to children that they should wash
with soap and water long enough to finish singing the alphabet song,
"Now I know my ABC's..." Also use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

4. Get the kids vaccinated.

These groups should be first in line for swine flu shots, especially
if vaccine supplies are limited - people 6 months to 24 years old,
pregnant women, health care workers.

Also a priority: Parents and caregivers of infants, people with those high-risk medical conditions previously noted.

5. Get your shots early.

Millions of swine flu shots should be available by October. If you
are in one of the priority groups, try to get your shot as early as
possible.

Check with your doctor or local or state health department about
where to do this. Many children should be able to get vaccinated at
school. Permission forms will be sent home in advance.

6. Immunity takes awhile.

Even those first in line for shots won't have immunity until around Thanksgiving.

That's because it's likely to take two shots, given three weeks
apart, to provide protection. And it takes a week or two after the last
shot for the vaccine to take full effect.

The regular seasonal flu shot should be widely available in
September. People over 50 are urged to be among the first to get that
shot.

7. Vaccines are being tested.

Health officials presume the swine flu vaccine is safe and effective, but they're testing it to make sure.

The federal government has begun studies in eight cities across the
country to assess its effectiveness and figure out the best dose.
Vaccine makers are doing their own tests as well.

8. Help! Surrounded by swine flu.

If an outbreak of swine flu hits your area before you're vaccinated, be extra cautious.

Stay away from public gathering places like malls, sports events and
churches. Try to keep your distance from people in general. Keep
washing those hands and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and
mouth.

9. What if you get sick?

If you have other health problems or are pregnant and develop
flu-like symptoms, call your doctor right away. You may be prescribed
Tamiflu or Relenza. These drugs can reduce the severity of swine flu if
taken right after symptoms start.

If you develop breathing problems (rapid breathing for kids), pain
in your chest, constant vomiting or a fever that keeps rising, go to an
emergency room.

Most
people, though, should just stay home and rest. Cough into your elbow
or shoulder. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever breaks.
Fluids and pain relievers like Tylenol can help with achiness and
fever. Always check with a doctor before giving children any medicines.
Adult cold and flu remedies are not for them.

10. No swine flu from barbecue.

You can't catch swine flu from pork - or poultry either (even though
it recently turned up in turkeys in Chile). Swine flu is not spread by
handling meat, whether it's raw or cooked.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

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On the Net:

CDC swine flu basics: http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's FAQ's:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/cd/h1n1(underscore)flu(underscore)basic(underscore)faq.pdf