The current H1N1 influenza virus is being considered a worldwide pandemic. With the average age of 17 being the most infected age group, this virus is unlike any other in history and can be predicted to affect more college-age students than any other flu virus. H1N1 is an influenza A virus in which the human population holds no immunity against. “The virus is classified as a pandemic not by severity, but by the area in which it is widespread,” Seward County Health Department Administrator Martha Brown explained. By dictionary definition, a pandemic is a global disease outbreak. The H1N1 virus is found worldwide. It can also be easily spread from person to person. It is commonly called the swine flu because this specific type of flu is derived from pigs and birds. Although this flu has been compared to the Spanish flu of 1918 and the Swine flu of 1976, the H1N1 virus is an entirely new flu. According to Brown, students should take universal precautions, such as washing hands and avoiding hand to hand contact with others. “We cannot emphasize hand washing enough,” Brown said