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November 23, 2009
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Patient Discussions: Swine Flu - Concerns

Swine Flu - Concerns

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

Are you concerned about contracting swine flu? Has it affected your travel plans?

Comment submissions for this question have ended. Patient Discussions FAQs


Related Article: Swine Flu

The following Patient Discussions have not been medically reviewed. See additional information.



Comment from: 19-24 Female (Patient)

I am concerned about swine flu for the simple fact that I'm just one of those people who gets sick very easily. Other than that, I'm not too concerned. It wouldn't affect any travel plans I have, but I am more cautious around people who are sick. Also, I have been keeping extra antibacterial hand sanitizer on hand. Published: April 30 ::

Comment from: kkhelp, 13-18 Female (Patient)

I have this rash on my leg and it is scaring me, it itches and it is awfully painful. I have a VERY itchy eye and I feel like I have to vomit all the time. I have diarrhea really badly anything I eat is gone in a matter of hours. I feel tired all the time and I can’t sleep! I feel achy and lazy. I hiccup or something like that and then I have vomit rush up my throat, but I don't throw up. My ear aches really badly and I have a headache all the time! I get the cold chills often. I feel tired and just run down after small activities. I live in Kansas with spreading numbers of swine flu, I don't know the symptoms of this flu, but my parents don't like going to doctors. Published: May 04 ::

Comment from: alexp112459, 45-54 Male (Patient)

My wife, daughter, and I went on vacation to California for two weeks. We started our trip on April 16, 2009 at Pier 35 in San Francisco. While there, we noticed the Star Princess cruise ship had just disembarked from a Mexican cruise. We did not know then about the swine flu cases and mingled with the cruise folks (about 3,100 people). After nine days from our trip, my wife and I have diarrhea, headaches, chills, sore throats, aching muscles, and runny noses. We live in Nevada and are going to visit our doctor today. Alex Published: April 30 ::

Comment from: JL, 45-54 Female

I am traveling to Las Vegas this weekend and am worried. I don't know whether to wear a face mask on the plane or not. I'm taking a lot of sanitizing wipes and gel though, and I plan on wiping anything and everything I touch! Published: April 28 ::

Comment from: kittyscratch, 35-44 Female (Patient)

I live in Las Vegas which is traditionally a tourist town. I am VERY worried about contracting Swine Flu. Many people who live here also have terrible allergies, so it will be difficult to determine visually those with the flu, and those who simply have allergies. Published: April 28 ::

Comment from: NorCalBtty,

My brother has made plans to travel to Cozumel, and my mother is worried sick that he will catch swine flu while traveling in Mexico. Though he's not concerned about catching swine flu, she is. She wants him to cancel his trip. Published: April 27 ::

Comment from: bacon, 55-64 Female (Patient)

I recently was feeling poorly with a sore throat for about two weeks, and usually it is my allergies. I just came back from Vegas from a conference and feel run down: sore throat, chills, severe muscle aches, fatigue, and nausea. Usually I am never ill, but my co- workers noticed that my game was off while I was away. I still feel bad after I returned to California. This has been going on for three weeks, which is highly unusual for me because I am very healthy and travel a great deal for work. I will see my doctor this week. Published: May 20 ::

Comment from: minime, 19-24 Female (Patient)

I think the "swine flu" is far overrated. Considering 33,000 people die every year from the regular flu. While I understand this is a new virus, there are antibiotics available to help treat this. Just like the regular flu, it's not curable. I understand the need for concern, but people are taking this way out of proportion. Published: May 08 ::

Comment from: cory shrimp, 13-18 Male (Patient)

I think I have the swine flu, I have a cough, sore throat, some stuff coming up when I cough heavily, but I don’t really feel tired or out of energy, but a little more than usual. I’m at school right now, and really just looked into the stuff, and now I’m kind of scared, because I’ve been coughing on people and I worry that I might be spreading it. Published: May 04 ::

Comment from: Jamerican, 35-44 Female (Patient)

I am concerned because I just returned from Jamaica and when we disembarked from the plane, another plane from Mexico City had just arrived before us. The immigration people were wearing masks and gloves, and we were not offered any to wear. I commented on the fact that they were wearing masks and was told that they didn't want to catch swine flu! What about me and my family?! Published: May 01 ::


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Swine Flu

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Avian influenza cannot be diagnosed by symptoms alone, so a laboratory test is required. Avian influenza is usually diagnosed by collecting a swab from the nose or throat during the first few days of illness. This swab is then sent to a laboratory, where they will either look for avian influenza virus using a molecular test, or they will try to grow the virus. Growing avian influenza viruses should only be done in laboratories with high levels of protection. If it is late in the illness, it may be difficult to find an avian influenza virus directly using these methods. If this is the case, it may still be possible to diagnose avian influenza by looking for evidence of the body's response to the virus. This is not always an option because it requires two blood specimens (one taken during the first few days of illness and another taken some weeks later), and it can take several weeks to verify the results.

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