My kids and I all woke up with a cold this morning and we're feeling pretty lousy. It's definitely not the flu - just typical cold symptoms. I have young children and it's often hard to avoid sharing colds among family members when kids spread germs so easily. But I figured this would be a great opportunity to share some tips about keeping healthy in your own home. It's too late for me, but maybe it will help you!

• How to Avoid the Family Cold

• How Clean is Your Home?
• How to Wash Your Hands

A new study has been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that looked at who was affected most severely by the H1N1 swine flu during the first four months of the pandemic. We know that the virus has affected young people more seriously than the seasonal flu usually does, but according to this study, older people shouldn't just brush this one off.

Fatality rates were actually highest among adults over 50. The overall fatality rate from the virus (among people that were hospitalized) was about 11% but the fatality rate among adults over age 50 was 18%-20%.

The study also found that hospitalization rates were highest among infants under 1 year old and lowest among the elderly. The median age of those hospitalized was 27, two thirds of people hospitalized with H1N1 had chronic medical conditions that put them at higher risk for complications and over half were obese.

Although these statistics may be a little scary, it's important to note that this study was based only on those who were actually hospitalized in the state of California during the first four months of the pandemic (April - August 09). A vast majority of people who get H1N1 swine flu are not hospitalized at all and recover without any treatment.

As of October 24th, flu activity in the United States was widespread in 48 states. A vast majority of the flu being seen is still the H1N1 swine flu.

According to officials at the CDC, levels of the flu are already higher than they typically are during the peak of flu season (which usually doesn't occur until January or February). I certainly don't remember a time in the three years that I have been following flu activity that it has ever been so widespread.

Although this virus seems to be relatively mild for most people who get it, it's still a little startling to see how fast it is spreading. Let's just hope it doesn't turn into anything more severe.

Here in Atlanta, it seems to be next to impossible to find the H1N1 swine flu vaccine. And when it's announced that they are available somewhere, just a few hours later they are all gone. It is beyond frustrating for me since I have a child who is at high risk for this particular flu and really want to get the family vaccinated as soon as possible.

If you are in a similar situation, there is a website available that lists where the vaccine is available in your state. Provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Flu.gov has an interactive map to help you find the H1N1 vaccine. Hopefully it will be available in greater quantities soon.