The spread of H1N1 virus, and the proliferation of news about the illness, has created anxiety among students and parents. School psychologists share some of the tools they are using to ease concerns while promoting prevention.

"I just had one of my counseling students share with me on Friday that he is extremely anxious about the swine flu," said Kelly Caci, school psychologist and member of the Newburgh Teachers Association.

After coming into her office, the 10-year-old student asked to use the hand sanitizer, which he had never done before.

About 115 people have died nationwide so far in widespread flu outbreaks. However, the student believed "thousands of people have died already," Caci said. "We discussed the flu and what he can do to avoid getting it, but he seems to be taking it to extremes."

The student used the sanitizer again before leaving, and Caci checked with his teacher, who told her he is constantly washing his hands throughout the school day.

"Prior to the swine flu epidemic he was very anxious, and this seems to have elevated his anxiety level," Caci said. Her plan? "During our next group I am going to attempt to further dispel his misconceptions about the swine flu, as well as teach him some self-calming strategies."

In the past she has used Aureen Pinto Wagner's "Worried No More" kit, as well as two books — Sometimes I Worry Too Much, But Now I Know How to Stop by Dawn Huebner and What to do When You're Scared & Worried by James Crist.

"Basically, we try to battle anxiety with information, and we keep an eye out for rumors," said Thomas Kulaga, a school psychologist with the Marlboro Faculty Association and president of the New York Association of School Psychologists. "At the middle level, we are fortunate to have seen only a slight increase in student anxiety related to the flu."

Kulaga said school nurse Deborah Bleski "has done a great job" educating students and staff about the flu, and the district maintains regular updates on its Web site.

The National Association of School Psychologists (www.nasponline.org), the National Association of School Nurses (www.nasn.org) and the National PTA (www.pta.org) have issued a guide, "Talking to Children About the Flu (Novel H1N1): A Parent Resource." (www.nyasp.org/index.php?page=11101170)

If parents seem overly worried, children may panic, the guide warns. Parents should reassure their children that health and school officials are working hard to ensure that people throughout the country stay healthy.

The guide notes, however, that children also need factual, age-appropriate information about the potential seriousness of disease risk and concrete instruction about how to avoid infection and spread of the virus.

The guide suggests:

• Teaching children positive preventive measures.
• Talking with them about their fears.
• Giving them a sense of some control over their risk of infection to help reduce anxiety.
• Reviewing basic hygiene and healthy lifestyle practices, including frequent hand-washing and not sharing food or drinks.
• Contacting a school nurse or pediatrician and checking www.flu.gov for factual information.