The cold and flu season has hit already, and significant numbers of students and staff are out of school – mostly with the common cold. In an effort to prevent the spread of illness, Highline Medical Center is partnering with Highline Public Schools in a “Rub Out Germs” campaign. The medical center is supplying small bottles of alcohol-based hand sanitizer, which will be distributed to students at school.

Public Health-Seattle & King County is reporting that H1N1 influenza (also known as swine flu) is spreading in the community, but not causing illness more serious than the seasonal flu. H1N1 vaccine will be available to health care workers next week and to children and other high-risk patients by the middle of October. For updated information, go to the Public Health website at www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1 or call the Flu Hotline, 877-903-5464, 24 hours/day (English and Spanish).