First to point out that swine flu is not the same as the present paranoia response to this latest virus, H1N1.
Wrong.
H1N1 is merely the official name the CDC has given swine flu. If you're talking about mutations, then they would designate a different name to it, such as H1N2, H2N2, etc.
The problem with H1N1 is that it has a higher mortality rate (3 times higher than more commonly encountered flus), and what Metalax said, in that it isn't taking out merely the weak, but just about anyone.
There is absolutely NO evidence to support this, especially considering that
most of the recent deaths have been children under 2. As far as the CDC can tell, the older a person gets, the more immunity they have to it. PLEASE stop spreading fearmongering half-truths.
I would not go to the doctor, I would not go to a medical facility, at least not without being courteous enough to wear a face mask first.
Unfortunately it lies on the backs of those medical workers who wish to prevent themeselves from getting the flu to wear respirators and follow proper respiratory and personal hygiene techniques. A face mask is going to do very little to stop the small particles that are exhaled by an infected patient. It's a nice little thing you can do to help, but it's ultimately up to the medical staff to follow proper procedure. Don't get me wrong, it's recommended that you
do wear a face mask, but it only
helps, not entirely prevents, and even then it's not really all that effective.
If you have the virus, stay home, leave everyone alone, and kick it. If it gets bad, then call 911, but definitely let them know you believe you have the virus.
The symptoms are the same for the regular flu, so there's no way to know you have the virus until you've actually gone and been tested and prescribed treatment. Aside from that, treatment can help fight the virus, so simply locking yourself in your bedroom by yourself could possibly be the worst thing you can do, depending on your history of susceptibility to respiratory illness.
In short, if you believe you have the swine flu and are showing symptoms,
seek medical treatment as soon as possible:
"Empiric antiviral treatment is recommended for any ill person suspected to have swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. Antiviral treatment with either zanamivir alone or with a combination of oseltamivir and either amantadine or rimantadine should be initiated as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms"
Vaccines are PREVENTIVE. They serve little to no purpose on those who are already dealing with the flu. Once you have it, it's a matter of staying hydrated, insulated, and isolated.
This is probably the one correct thing you've said so far.
even if it wasnt tat bad at all... i think people are exaggerating about te illness...tat is why i myself dun believe it exist.