MARIETTA - WellStar Health System and Emory Adventist Hospital are reporting higher numbers of patients with the flu, including some with H1N1, commonly referred to as swine flu.

"It is unusual to have the degree of flu activity in September that we have had now. ... We're continuing to screen patients on a regular basis for H1N1," said Dr. Marcia Delk, chief quality officer for WellStar Health System.

Emory Adventist has not seen any patients with swine flu, but has noticed an increase in patients visiting the emergency room with flu-like symptoms, said Pam Center, lead charge nurse for the emergency room.

WellStar officials ask that people with flu-like symptoms go to their regular doctor or urgent care to avoid spreading the virus to patients in the emergency room.

Staff at Emory Adventist, which does not have urgent care facilities in Cobb, direct people with flu-like symptoms in an exam room if available, Center said.

"If a room is unavailable, we mask the individuals," she said.

Delk said WellStar is prepared for this year's flu season.

"We're back to our normal flu management. It's business as usual," she said.

There won't be an H1N1 vaccine available until at least late fall, according to health officials, but residents can still use over-the counter medications to curtail symptoms of H1N1.

"Antiviral medicines are available for influenza and in general are effective against H1N1 and other strains of influenza," Delk said.

There's the traditional influenza vaccine, which Delk encourages the public to get now. There's also preventative measures, including covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, throw the tissue directly into the trash, washing hands frequently and use alcohol-based cleaners.

H1N1 is a different strain of the influenza virus, but is not deadly for most people.

"The illness is typically managed in outpatient. Symptoms can be managed at home," Delk said.

H1N1 does vary a little from the typical influenza strand, however.

"We are seeing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea with H1N1, and that's more common in children that adults. People who are at high-risk for complications usually have chronic illness, such as diabetes," she said.

Last week, three cases of swine flu were confirmed in Cobb County schools. The week before that, health officials reported that a "significant" number of students were sent home from Lindley Sixth Grade Academy in Mableton with flu-like symptoms.

School Board Chairman Dr. John Abraham earlier said, "The bottom line is if you're sick, stay home."

Cobb colleges and universities, however, have remained fairly removed from the influenza virus since fall classes started.

"We haven't seen any students or staff absent from the flu at SPSU, despite what we're seeing reported at Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia," said Sylvia Carson, spokeswoman for Southern Polytechnic State University.

Likewise, Chattahoochee Technical College reports that both its students and faculty have remained untouched by the virus.

Kennesaw State University, the third largest university in the state by enrollment, had its first confirmed case of a student with H1N1 last month. The student came into the health clinic Aug. 20 with flu-like symptoms and was later diagnosed with the newest strand of H1N1.

"The student has recovered and is back on campus. Last week, we advised the student to self-isolate, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines," said Anne Nichols, health clinic director at KSU. "We saw 100 patients (Aug. 25), five with flu-like symptoms, whom we treated with antivirals, again following CDC guidelines."