Of all things I usually write about during the summer, the flu is not one of them. But schools are beginning to return to session and many administrators and health care providers are already discussing the coming winter months and the possible return of the H1N1 flu strain, also known as swine flu.

The thing that many people are not aware of is that this particular strain of flu has not been gone over the summer. For most, once the outbreak in Mexico quieted down, the quarantines were lifted and the schools here in the U.S. that had closed were either reopened or out for summer, the discussions about the flu died down and people went on with their everyday lives.

My son Matthew recently returned from working as a camp counselor for the summer. While there, they had several confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in campers who had to be sent home. The camp cleaned and disinfected, and staff reminded of the importance of washing their hands and making sure the campers did also.

Matthew and the other staff were given Tamiflu, and they were vigilant in checking children when they arrived for any symptoms.

One of the doctors who came to the camp for a week was an infectious disease physician from Birmingham. He met with the staff and discussed the H1N1 flu and told them that many facilities, his included, working on a vaccine for this strain.

He also said simple hygiene techniques are the best prevention and physicians in his field are expecting the strain to return in larger numbers during the regular flu season.

Schools and colleges are naturally among the places where there is concern for the spread of the flu and any other contagious disease. This is because you have a large number of people who breathe on each other, share a snack or drink and are lax about washing their hands or covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing.

School and college students will continue to mingle, live in tight quarters such as dorms, share food and drink and forget to wash their hands. And while they might not be the most “health vulnerable” crowd they can easily spread it to elderly relatives or other compromised individuals.

According to the Centers for Disease Control there are several things you can be doing to prevent and diminish the spread of the flu virus.

Since the virus is thought to spread mainly person-to-person there are some ways to prevent the spreading.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs are commonly spread that way. Teach children to wash their hands their hands with soap and water not just rinse them off. A common measure being taught to children to get them to understand how long it takes to wash is that they should sing the “Happy Birthday” song to themselves as they wash. This usually takes the recommended 15 seconds of handwashing time.

And of course follow the advice of your health care provider in treating any symptoms you may have.

While all doctors and health organizations may not agree on the expected severity of the upcoming cold and flu season they do agree on one thing, that now is the time to institute education and prevention of the common winter cold and spread of any type of flu virus, not once there is an outbreak.

Christina Hall writes a weekly column for The Democrat. She can be reached at christina.hall@natchezdemocrat.com.