Federal health officials put out new guidelines Tuesday that say the flu medicines Tamiflu and Relenza should only be used to treat people who are sick with the flu and at high risk for complications.

Swine flu is expected to return when kids go back to school, and the government is hoping its new advice on when to shut down schools during an outbreak will prevent the panic and confusion that led to hundreds of school closures last spring. The government was to issue new guidance Friday for schools to follow when swine flu strikes. Unlike regular seasonal flu, this virus has not retreated during the hot and humid summer months and so far has infected more than 1 million Americans.

Swine flu is expected to return when kids go back to school, and the government is hoping its new advice on when to shut down schools during an outbreak will prevent the panic and confusion that led to hundreds of school closures last spring. The government was to issue new guidance Friday for schools to follow when swine flu strikes. Unlike regular seasonal flu, this virus has not retreated during the hot and humid summer months and so far has infected more than 1 million Americans.

The government’s first study of how well rapid tests diagnose swine flu finds they’re wrong at least half the time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at rapid tests made by three companies. The tests correctly confirmed swine flu infections only 10 percent to 51 percent of the time. The tests were better at diagnosing seasonal flu.

The government’s first study of how well rapid tests diagnose swine flu finds they’re wrong at least half the time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at rapid tests made by three companies. The tests correctly confirmed swine flu infections only 10 percent to 51 percent of the time. The tests were better at diagnosing seasonal flu.

A government panel has recommended that certain groups be placed at the front of the line for swine flu vaccinations this fall, including pregnant women, health care workers, and children six months and older.

A government panel has recommended that certain groups be placed at the front of the line for swine flu vaccinations this fall, including pregnant women, health care workers, and children six months and older.

The government is calling for several thousand volunteers to roll up their sleeves for the first swine flu shots, in a race to test whether a new vaccine really will protect against the virus before its expected to rebound in the fall.

The government is calling for several thousand volunteers to roll up their sleeves for the first swine flu shots, in a race to test whether a new vaccine really will protect against the virus before its expected to rebound in the fall.

The head of the World Health Organization says major drug companies have agreed on a plan to give poor countries access to a swine flu vaccine and antiviral medications if a worldwide outbreak is declared. Dr. Margaret Chan says she appealed for help as she met with drug companies and vaccine makers on Tuesday.

Government health officials are warning doctors that one flu medicine may not work against all cases this year.

Government health officials are warning doctors that one flu medicine may not work against all cases this year.

A government panel is calling for a vaccine for smokers.

The Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices made the recommendations.

Cold and flu season is here, and people around the CSRA are getting flu shots to keep from getting sick. The Columbia County Health Department is holding flu clinics throughout the month.

The Columbia County Health Department will be holding walk-in flu clinics at the Evans Government Complex in Building A. The clinics will be on October 1, 3, 8, 9 and 10th from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. each day.