The H1N1 flu — or swine flu — is widespread throughout South Carolina and most of the country, including Union County.

While there only have been three cases of the new flu confirmed in this county, Wallace Thomson Hospital and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control officials have said it’s here and it’s being spread.

While the effects of the new flu virus aren’t being felt particularly bad in our part of the state, that doesn’t mean anyone can stop thinking about protecting themselves and taking the necessary precautions to avoid being infected with this new bug that’s proven to be extremely difficult on children and young adults.

So the purpose of our weeklong series on the new flu strain was to give readers and anyone interested needed information to keep themselves healthy and background knowledge on the swine flu.

To test that knowledge, this article — the wrap up of the series — is a short quiz to see just how much you have learned throughout the week reading the stories.

The newsroom at The Union Daily Times hopes it has given readers a good look at the new influenza virus and wants everyone to know it’s here and to remind them that seasonal flu is on its way.

Good luck on the quiz!

1. According to state DHEC spokesman Jim Beasley, what is the best way to be protected against H1N1?

a. Wash your hands frequently.

b. Cover your coughs and sneezes.

c. Get vaccinated.

d. Find someone with swine flu, get sick and develop an antibody on your own.

2. When was the first case of H1N1 infection reported in South Carolina?

a. June

b. February

c. August

d. April

3. Where was the first confirmed case of H1N1 influenza reported?

a. Union

b. Newberry County

c. Greenville

d. Spartanburg County

4. What at-risk population is more at risk for H1N1 than it normally would be for seasonal flu?

a. Young adults

b. People ages 55 and older

c. Children

d. People with preexisting medical conditions such as heart disease, asthma or kidney disease

5. How many people, according to an Associated Press report last week, in the United States have gotten or now have the H1N1 flu?

a. 7 million

b. 22 million

c. 5 billion

d. 6

6. What type of soap should you wash your hands with to make sure the H1N1 virus is killed?

a. Antibacterial

b. Soft

c. Scented

d. Hotel

7. Where did the new H1N1 virus first emerge?

a. Sweden

b. China

c. South Africa

d. Mexico

8. According to state DHEC and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials, how long after your fever goes away after you’ve gotten the H1N1 flu — or any flu for that matter — without the aid of fever-reducing agents should you stay home from work or school?

a. 12 hours

b. 2 days

c. 24 hours

d. 1 week

9. Which of these is a warning sign your child might have the H1N1 flu?

a. Fast or troubled breathing.

b. Not drinking enough fluids.

c. Weak bladder.

d. Both a and b.

10. Finally, why is H1N1 commonly referred to as the swine flu?

a. It started in pigs.

b. It only occurs in pigs.

c. Laboratory testing originally showed that many of the genes in this new virus were similar to flu viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America.

d. None of the above.

Answers: 1. c; 2. d; 3. b; 4. c; 5. b; 6. a; 7. d; 8. c; 9. d; 10. c