Many Have Already Had Swine Flu

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - Do you know anyone who has had the swine flu? Chances are you do even if they aren't aware of it.

As concerns mount over the H1N1 virus heading into the fall and winter flu seasons, doctors are now saying that people who had the flu this summer probably have already contracted swine flu.

"In the U.S., all the flu that is circulating now is the H1N1 virus," Dr. Richard Besser, a veteran of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told "Good Morning America." "If you've had the flu; you've had the swine flu."

The CDC says more than 9,000 people have been hospitalized because of swine flu since April. Swine flu also accounted for about 96 percent of all tested flu strains in the past week, according to the CDC .

Along with the new H1N1 swine flu virus, officials are also monitoring some nasty seasonal flu strains, but they believe the new H1N1 swine-flu virus could overtake many at least some of the seasonal viruses this winter.

Government officials are urging people to get seasonal flu shots now. Researchers are still testing a swine flu vaccine, and believe a swine flu shot won't be available in the U.S. until at least mid-October.

In an effort to contain swine flu , the French Health Ministry this week called for citizens to avoid "all direct contacts between people and particularly with sick people," including kissing and shaking hands.

The CDC issued a guidance for college students last month instructing them to partake in "self -isolation" if they're suspected of being infected with the H1N1 virus that causes swine flu. The agency said:

"If close contact with others cannot be avoided, the ill student should be asked to wear a surgical mask during the period of contact. Examples of close contact include kissing, sharing eating or drinking utensils, or having any other contact between persons likely to result in exposure to respiratory droplets."

At Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., about 2,600 students have contacted Health and Wellness Services with flu-like symptoms since school began in late August.

In addition to avoiding contact with people who might have swine flu, it is also recommended that you avoid touching objects that sick people may have had recent contact with. Doctors say the H1N1 virus can live on objects, like a phone or computer mouse, for a few hours. Try to avoid sharing them with colleagues, or swab them down with alcohol wipes frequently -- and, of course, remember to wash your hands often.