The new swine flu seems no more deadly than the regular winter flu, which every year kills 36,000 Americans and hospitalizes 200,000. But it is the century's first worldwide pandemic, which makes fighting it important.
Below, find the latest stories and interactives through the Rockford Register Star, and Web site links that keep you informed on 2009's strain of the H1N1 virus and the flu.
WHERE TO GET A FLU OR H1N1 VACCINATION
Feb. 24: Illinois takes stock as H1N1 deaths top 100
Jan. 12: Health Department still urging flu vaccinations
Dec. 29: 3 H1N1 clinics set for early Jan.
Dec. 23: County schedules January H1N1 clinics
Dec. 23: H1N1 shots available at 5 Walgreens
Dec. 15: H1N1 vaccination clinic information updated
Dec. 11: H1N1 vaccine clinics opened to all residents
Dec. 4: Winnebago County hot line offers appointments
Nov. 30: H1N1 vaccines to begin in Rockford schools
Nov. 18: Seasonal flu shots offered in Rockford
Nov. 11: Schools' H1N1 consent slips due Friday
Nov. 9: H1N1 shots available by appointment
Nov. 5: County resumes seasonal flu vaccines
Oct. 27: Kinnikinnick to send vaccine permission slips
Oct. 27: H1N1 clinics offered for ages 2 to 24
Oct. 20: County issues its first H1N1 shots
Oct. 15: Vaccine shortfall pauses clinics
Winnebago County clinics under way
Flu, pneumonia shots to be given at library
On the Web: Locate a flu-shot clinic
On the Web: H1N1 shot permission slip
THE LATEST STORIES ON H1N1, THE FLU
Jan. 27: Hospitals lift H1N1 restrictions for young visitors
Dec. 29: WHO chief: H1N1 pandemic continues
Dec. 18: Tips for H1N1 vaccination clinics
Dec. 17: H1N1 vaccine plentiful in half of states
Dec. 16: County: 73 of recalled vaccines given
Dec. 11: 9 new H1N1 deaths in Illinois
Dec. 4: Local swine flu toll up to 4
Dec. 4: Ill. hot line can answer flu questions
Dec. 4: H1N1 means OCD-symptom uptick
Dec. 3: H1N1 e-mail scam warning issued
Dec. 1: H1N1 shots begin at Rockford schools
Nov. 20: Red Cross issues flu-prevention tips
Nov. 16: H1N1 vaccination training offered to EMTs
Nov. 13: County logs third H1N1-related death
Nov. 11: Rockford Health System answers questions
Nov. 6: Colleges to host H1N1 information sessions
Nov. 4: Pain relievers might dilute shots' power
Nov. 4: Lawmaker wants sick pay for those with H1N1
Nov. 3: Single vaccination works in pregnant women
Nov. 3: NIH official vouches for H1N1 vaccine safety
Nov. 3: Meeting offers H1N1 business planning
Nov. 2: Group helps U.S. monitor H1N1 shot safety
Nov. 2: Millions without sick leave fear swine flu
Nov. 2: Scientists decode pig DNA in H1N1 research
Nov. 1: Pharmacist's blending skills handy in flu battle
Oct. 30: Flu tricks bodies as it evolves
Oct. 30: VanMatre rehab hospital limits visitors
Oct. 30: FDA grants emergency swine-flu test
Oct. 30: USDA: 6 pigs test positive for H1N1
Oct. 30: Beloit hospital begins visitor age restrictions
Oct. 30: Cholesterol drugs might improve flu survival
Oct. 30: Some who get shot not at high risk for H1N1
Oct. 30: CDC: Months yield 5 million-plus H1N1 cases
Oct. 29: Rockton schools send vaccine consent forms
Oct. 29: South Beloit cancels classes on Friday
Oct. 29: Flu shots to be offered at Chicago airports
Oct. 29: Pharmacy director takes on H1N1 myths
Oct. 29: i-Phone application gives H1N1 info
Oct. 28: Rockford schools to give flu update
Oct. 28: Illinois insurers to cover H1N1 vaccine
Oct. 27: Emergency room visits rise for flu symptoms
Oct. 26: H1N1 vaccine will cover all 'eventually'
Oct. 23: Hospitals put visiting ban on preteens
Oct. 23: County sees second H1N1 death
Oct. 22: H1N1 vaccine coming to Rockford schools
Oct. 21: CDC: Vaccine production behind schedule
Oct. 21: Obama gets seasonal flu shot
Oct. 20: Software helps county track flu cases
Oct. 20: Hospitals restricting visitors to stop H1N1
Oct. 20: USDA confirms H1N1 in Minn. pigs
Oct. 20: Feds study H1N1 shot dose for asthmatics
Oct. 16: County gets first H1N1 vaccine shipment
Oct. 16: Swine flu linked to more child deaths
Oct. 16: Flu-shot clinic draws steady crowd
Oct. 15: Rockford schools urge H1N1 vaccination
Oct. 13: Swine flu and kids: Heed warnings
Oct. 13: Site answers flu, H1N1 questions
Oct. 12: Worst swine-flu cases detailed
Oct. 8: Parents not sold on H1N1 vaccine
Oct. 8: Poll: Only half of people want H1N1 shot
Oct. 7: Sebelius touts swine-flu vaccination
Oct. 7: Do your H1N1 symptoms require a doctor?
Oct. 6: County health chief stresses battle plan
Oct. 5: Swine flu arriving, but don't line up yet
Oct. 5: Swine flu doesn't worry most Americans
Oct. 2: County's supply of flu shots OK for now
Oct. 2: Suppliers face flu-vaccine delays, cutbacks
Oct. 2: Seasonal flu vaccines run out at SIU
Oct. 1: Flu vaccine delayed for some providers
Oct. 1: Illinois to get shipments of swine flu vaccine
Sept. 30: Swine flu school closings could cost billions
Sept. 29: Rockford schools prep for flu
Sept. 24: Maker reports shortage of children's Tamiflu
Sept. 24: 3 billion H1N1 doses possible yearly
Sept. 23: Sanofi to deliver H1N1 shots in Oct.
Sept. 21: 1 swine flu shot enough for older kids
Sept. 20: Employers brace for H1N1
Sept. 18: County has first death tied to H1N1
Sept. 15: Simple, sensible approach best for any flu
Aug. 27: Health officials ready to take on two-flu season
Aug. 26: School, health officials combat H1N1 virus
Aug. 24: Program to focus on flu prevention
Aug. 21: No red flags yet in swine flu vaccine tests
Aug. 21: Shots for schoolkids best way to stop flu
HEALTH POLL
Take this poll: Thoughts on H1N1 now
ASSOCIATED PRESS INTERACTIVES
Health care, H1N1 poll results
Where swine flu has been diagnosed
Photo gallery: As flu fears increase, masks come out
Swine flu timeline with photos and video
WEB RESOURCES
Baylor University
World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control: 2009 H1N1 flu
The H1N1 Response Center
CDC: Flu.gov
PAST COVERAGE
Stories including local news on last spring's outbreak
