CNN answers your FAQs on swine flu

All this talk about flights and border checks, what about cruise ships? They are sailing in and out of Mexico and are ignoring travel advisories.

The flu in 1918 was responible for the deaths of between 20 to 70 million people worldwide. That is the estimate I saw. If this flu is the same strain except it has become a variant of that virus how can this not be a crisis for the world? There is good reason to be concerned if they don't get a handle on this quickly.

my 15 mos. old grandaughter has had a flu for 6 days. all the symptoms of swine except fever. I brought her to two clinics they said it was the flu... the later clinic said it is not swine flu but go to emergency
for which i brought her to have the triage nurse laugh in my face. She said everyone goes crazy from the news and insisted it is only a flu.
I waited 6 hours for the doctor to tell me that there is no way it could be swine flu for two reasons.
she has no fever...and had no contact or travel in mexico.
is this true... I am outraged by the way they passed it off as trivial and impossible.
Also.. she has been in contact with Mexican immigrant workers that travel here weekly..in a town of Leamington, where she lives.

I don't understand. President Obama says this is not cause for alarm, yet the WHO has issued this warning. What's going on and which is correct?

Several times today, CNN reported that people should take aspirin for the Swine Flu. Taking Aspirin for the flu puts people especially children at risk for reyes syndrome.

There is some discontinuity between effects of so-called swine flu in America and in Mexico. Except for the U.S. school of which some 20 students with swine flu who came from a trip to mexico, the moderate to normal effects of other U.S. swine flu incidents suggests there may be two variants of swine flu at play:

1. The drug resistant variant part avian/ par swine flu which is drug resistant originating in Mexico. Therefore the greater mortality so far greater in mexico, but maybe greater in america as infection of this strain spread improperly treated or untreated at all.

2. Normal swine flu. seen natively in america, therefore the marked lessend mortality.

If and when drugs are administered, doctors better get which flu to treat right to properly treat this outbreak.

Mike Restivo

According to news reports the only deaths that have occurred have been in Mexico. I wonder if the viruses strain may be temperature sensitive. Mexico's climate is a little warmer than the rest of the United States and maybe that is weakening the virus to the point where no one has died (at least in the U.S).

How do we stop the cruise lines? They are refusing to stop cruises to Mexico at this time, and are threatening all passengers with full penalties upon cancellation. How do we make then understand how dangerous their disregard is for the impending threat?

I've had flu symptoms for 4 days and went to my doctor today. I was told that I have pneumonia and possibly the flu, but no flu test was done. How do public health authorities know whether the flu is spreading if people with symptoms aren't tested?

I'm a bit bothered seeing Dr. Gupta with a face mask around his neck. It looks like a typical N95 mask which is effective for particles 0.3 microns and larger. Viruses, including the N1H1 influenza virus, are much smaller than this. In addition, it is uncomfortable wearing those masks for any length of time, so I doubt laypersons would even wear them properly. I am worried that you are giving the message that such masks would protect people when their efficacy is highly doubtful in such a situation. I wish you would either take it off or explain to people that such masks offer limited, if any, protection and that you have one on because you are in a high risk area and are using whatever protection is available even though it's benefit, if any, is likely minimal.

Mexico has a sub-standard health care system. That's why the flu is more rampant there. How is this difficult for the investigators to understand???

I take it back...the CDC just changed their website a few minutes ago.

Tens of thousands of people die from general influenza each year worldwide. I dont understand the hysteria surrounding the deaths of 100 people related to the swine flu. Where is the hysteria surrouding 30,000 people dying in the USA annually from the flu. Where is the media coverage then. The media and the CDC are supporting and fueling this swine flu hysteria. The media and the CDC are missing a grand opportunity to educate people about influenza and the value of being vaccinated yearly.

Thank you for publishing these facts...... we just traveled on Amtrak from California and our car attendant was very sick with a flu or severe cold. We needed to know the incubation period........

I think we should build a wall.

I read on the CDC website that about 36000 americans die each year from the complications of flu. I wonder why is the medical community so worried about this particular strain of flu since not that many people are dying from it? Or at least does not seems to be any different that when the regular flu season occurs.

Since Baxters contaminated the flu shots with avian, swine, asia/europe swine, and human seasonal flu combined into one "vaccine", how do I know the swine flu vaccine they are trying to come up with, won't be contaminated with other illnesses such as monkey pox, small pox, chicken pox, measels, or aids, etc. How can this company be trusted for anything??? It's real hard to trust anything the United States Government says anymore.

The flu identified in the 1918 pandemic was H5N1, not H1N1.

It was especially lethal for the strong and healthy, those whose immune systems overresponded to the threat, filling their lungs with fluid.

There appeared to have been several strains, however, some far more virulent that others.

There were reports in Buenas Aires of people, healthy when they left for work in the morning, dieing on the street cars that brought them home in the same evening.

One wonders why the mortality rates in Mexico appear to be so much higher than for those in the US with the same virus.

It seems very obvious the governmetn will not close the borders for illegla mexican. Evne now with a flu spreading the mere mention of closing the borders gets a quick response of " no we can not do that" I would like to see it close at least till the flu is no longer a problem. I don't see the problem it is done in other countries. Even with a epidemic it seems no one will consdier closing the borders.

Any chance the news services will stop hysterically reporting this and not cause another media induced panic like the ones killed seniors and rotted flu shots when they wrote about the artificial flu shot shortage?

One can only hope....

EUCALYPTUS OIL. Why has clinical Medicine overlooked this item. Dr. David G. Williams reported on this item in 1999. He related a personal experiience that he had on a trip to Australia. He became infected with the Flu and observed some cleaning ladies breathing fthe fumes of Eucalyptus oil on a cloth. They related a story about one s grandfather in WWI were the military sprayed a barracks with the oil and put the solders in the barracks for a day and stopped the epidemic.
I have used eucalyptus oil drops and breathed the fumes to ward off colds and other respitory ills. It works. I suspect Clinical medicine is only after the $$$ to be made. Why not research the history on the properties of EUCLYPTUS OIL along with the washing of hands.

These answers are not very helpful.

Most of your answers are: "we dont know", "may offer some", "researchers do not yet know".

If you are not sure, dont call this article "CNN Answers you facts..."

"CNN Speculates" would be a better title

People need to be reminded NOT to give aspirin to children or young teen because they can get "Reye Syndrome". Ask your doctor.

I reside in El Paso, Texas, we have not had any cases of Swine Flu however, our local news reported that four suspected cases are in Juarez, Mexico, since the virus is spreading so quickly why can't we close our borders until the virus subsides?

why is this swine flu getting more media than it did in the late 70's. i was living in nyc at the time and people were going to costume parties in a pigs mask and hospital gown. is this strain deadlier.

Have we become as pigs; now able to share in their illnesses? God help us. Grace stuck in San Antonio, Texas. oink.

It seems like everyone is always concerned about schools,large gatherings, people on vacations,etc....Does anyone ever concern themselves over the lives of our Flight Attendants who fly into Mexico and have layovers there and who are in aircrafts with hundreds of passengers on a daily basis.... Flight Attendants have a risky job and importance is never placed on this profession...one of which is there first and foremost for passengers safety.

So... 80 people in the US have been found to have the Swine Flu. Lets see that is 0.00000026% of the US population of 303,824,640. Give me a break. Media hysteria is going into overdrive on this one. Wake me when we reach a large cities worth of people infected and when the death rate of that group reaches 5%. Then I might care.

Dear Dr.Gupta,
It is very important to lose the used mask around your neck while being interviewed.. This sets an example to the public that this is not acceptable. Pulling the mask from around your mouth and nose and leaving it hanging around the neck reexposes the wearer and those around them to virus or bacteria that may have been captured in the filter . Masks must be carefully removed and folded inward and disposed of in biological waste. The person wearing the mask must them follow careful handwashing. Wearing a mask is just a step in stopping the spread of a virus. I think it would be helpful to explain this to the public. Don't feel safe just because youhave a mask around your neck. Noone being interviewed should do this. I have seen manny many people wearing masks improperly.
This is infection control 101!!!!
I love you Dr.Gupta but lose the used mask.
Keep well and keep up your awesome work.
Warm regards
Deb Davies R.N. Richmond Hill Ontario Canada

just read.... it is not known when the spread of the flu started in mexico city....

in late march or early april....mexico city shut down service of water to many areas of mexico city....this was done to make needed/upgrades to their water system.....many areas went without water for days....

the story of no water in many areas was on the mexicans news for many days....

Get Sanjay's mask off his neck. It's a lame prop that insults your audience and looks stupid.

I have just finished warching 10 o´clock update with Mr. Gupta.
In his reprta he describes how he gat into one of Mexico´s hospitals where patients are being treated for the flu in a clandestine manner.
In fact Mr. Gupta with his little camera was taping from one of the private hospitals in Mexico where no restriction whatosoever exists to enter.
Believe me I know the hospital where I work.
The lab he showed was the blood bank and there are no patients in the hallway because there are no patients in the basement.
I would expect a more serious approach to reporting of what is indeed a very important health problem, specially from CNN and the almost surgeon-general.
Hopefully this will not happen again.
Mauricio Sierra MD

Has CDC set up control groups nationwide... If this is not isolated to just Mexico as the source, then some of these cases that are popping up may be some other source...

As much as I have a logical understanding of the hand-washing and mouth-covering routine, what bothers me the most is the fact that there is NO discussion or mention of the fact that you cannot quite disinfect food you are about to eat that is served to you at say, a restaurant or fast-food place where somoene has tried to cough or sneeze into their elbow but still manages to "spray" your food. Business has to keep going and staff are generally motivated to keep their jobs....so why bother taking food back after it's already been prepared, and even if they risk contaminating you with the sneezy/coughy-bits they just spewed? It might be different for foods you can cook yourself but even then, gosh! It is my opinion that this disease will turn into something that is long and drawn out over the course of the summer – unless of course, our government takes an extremely aggressive policy-based and forceful hand on the matter. All bases, all consideration, all policies. Then, it will end quickly and thoroughly so that we don't have anything to fear in other areas of our country's wellbeing...

I wonder if there is a connection with the temperature in Mexico and the spread of the virus. It seems that all the people that are recovering are from cooler areas .

I have a few questions. How many people were diagnosed with Cancer today? How many people were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS today? I find it interesting that we have 24 hour news cycles covering another version of the FLU, which our federal government has stockpiles of vaccinations and treatments for, when I am sure there are 10 times the amount of people being diagnosed viruses that have no vaccine or treatment. You want to talk about serious Pandemics, lets talk about those.

Also, appearing on Anderson Cooper with a green Dr.'s mask hanging around your neck was a nice touch. I really think the media has become one giant network with 24 hour not so "Reality TV".

How about some real information like how many confirmed cases in the US listed by state? It seems that this information isn't listed anywhere...

Is it possible this is true and we're looking in the wrong place for the cause? 'investigations indicated that the disease vector was a type of fly that reproduces in pig waste and that the outbreak was linked to the pig farms.According to one community resident, the organic and fecal waste produced by Granjas Carrol isn’t adequately treated, creating water and air pollution in the region... I witnessed—and smelled—the same thing in Hardin County, Iowa, a couple of years ago, another area marked by intensive industrial hog production. The article goes on to say that area residents have long complained of “fetid odors” in the air and water, and swarms of flies hovering around waste lagoons. Like their counterparts who live in CAFO-heavy U.S. areas, they also complain of respiratory ailments. The Mexico City daily La Jornada has also made the link. According to the newspaper, the Mexican health agency IMSS has acknowledged that the orginal carrier for the flu could be the “clouds of flies” that multiply in the Smithfield subsidiary’s manure lagoons.

I live in the deep south and also have worked in public health. We prepare for hurricanes and by no surprise a few are preparing for a possible pandemic. I suggested to one neighbor that it may be a good idea for us to buy a box or two of the proper face masks.....just in case. With a Level Four alert I didn't think this was overreacting. Later in the afternoon the same neighbor advised me that he spoke to a friend who is a medical doctor (not a specialist in epidemiology) and basically told him to forget about the masks and there was really nothing to get overly excited about and that basic hand-washing and hygiene techniques were all that were necessary for our part of the country.. The M.D.also told him that Swine Flu will probably only hit hardest in developing countries but "not in OUR backyard".
Does a general practitioner M.D (not an epidemiological specialist) have the knowledge or authority to recommend what is and is not necessary when it relates to a public health epidemiological emergency issue? What is wrong with being safe than sorry? Secondly, I'm beginning to get the impression that this is becoming more of a political issue here in Mobile, Alabama than anything else. Mobile, Alabama is a Republican stronghold. Many here would like nothing more than to use this public health crisis as a means to "let the President fail".

Dr. Gupta: I have a theory regarding why the Swine Flu has been deadlier in Mexico (especially Mexico City) than elsewhere: Mexico City's high elevation and notorius air pollution. A flu strain like this one would be especially dangerous there as opposed to other locations.

Bird Flu OR Swine Flu???

The "Swine Flu" as they call it has part of both the swine flu and the bird flu in it yet they call it the swine flu. I think the obama administration, WHO, and CDC decided to call it the Swine Flu instead of the Bird Flu to stop even more spread of panic in the public.

If they current flu has both in it then what will determine the name they call it? Does it contain a higher percent of swine than bird?

My teenaged daughter works at a fast food restuarant and contacted me from work to say she was told a fellow employee had been sent home extremely ill and was seen this morning at a local hospital and then diagnosed with probable swine flu. Even more concerning, is that this employee travels frequently back and forth to mexico- and was in Tijuanna last week- we live in San Diego. In any case, I told my daughter to IMMEDIATELY come home- However,she was worried she would be terminated... finally with further persuasion from myself and her dad- she did leave work after telling the manager her parents were insisting she leave. My issue is that, I subsequently got a call from one of the district managers and was told the employee had just had a simple stomach ache and was sent home as a precaution! I feel it is likely that the employee actually may have the Swine Flu.
I want to know whether this restaurant has an obligation to report to the CDC or DHS that the employee has swine flu ?Also, under what conditions will be safe for my daughter to return. I am an ER/ICU nurse and know this can present with serious complications!!

What is a person to do when the head of the Homeland Security advised the US citizens not to go to Mexico unless it is unpreventable, yet Carnival Cruise line will only allow me the option to go or lose my full amount for the cruise that is to leave in two days? I am so upset about this. I have phoned and spoke to six different people and not one of them seemed to care that I wanted to follow the request not to travel to Mexico to protect our country. I really think that someone needs to address this, before thousands of people travel there due to the pressure of a hugh financial loss if they don't.

There has been an assumption that this Swine Flu originated in Mexico, yet there is no proof that this is the case. On Larry King, the question was put out to a panel of doctors, "Should we consider closing the borders to the US?" Could it not be that the flu may have, in fact, started in the US, Canada or another country and spread to Mexico? Perhaps it should be Mexico that might consider closing its border to Canadian, American and other tourists.

The Swine Flu is killing people in Mexico because the mexican medical sustem is completly incompetent. People die at hospitals everyday from the simplest things. From the doctors to the personnel, the medical staff at all hospitals is simply pathetic.

i have spent the last 10 years in mexico as an advisor to political leaders and government officials and i can tell you fropm 10 years of experience in this country that government officials are more interested in their air time with world media and trying to look like a well organized state than the swine flu. Mexico is much closer to a failed State and complete chaos and this is an opportunity for mexican officials to convey an image of a relevant government to the world. The people know better and have absolutely no confidence in their leadership or institutions.

and guards with heavy weaponry is standard practice in mexico. They are present at malls, kinder gardens and every place of everyday life. but they usually have no bullets because they are not trusted with live rounds in case something happends and they accidentally kill people.

Thank you

Ignacio Cruz, PhD/ABD
former advisor to the Governor of Hidalgo
Political Consultant
Policy Expert
1998-2007
(US Citizen)

thank you

Hi Sanjay,

I am surprised by the fact that not one word has been mentioned about boosting the immune system by changing one’s diet, (ie. a more alkaline diet), cutting back on acid forming food,taking mega doses of vitamins and mineral supplements, especially vitamin C.

I don’t think washing one’s hands would be enough. It is also strange that people who are in the 20’s are the most affected in Mexico. It could be probably be due to their lifestyles and diet, and also a generation of people who have been over exposed to antibiotics. Mexico City is also very polluted, with high levels of CO2. This may lead to a highly acidic blood, which may also lead to a weaker immune system.There are products in the market, like ‘Transfer Factor’ which may help boost the immune system. It is made from colostrum, which is safe and can be easily assimilated.

The way I see it, the over prescription of antibiotics, which are essentially toxic in nature, may have also been a contributing factor, that is, affecting the way our immune system behaves.

I live in Malaysia, where we were also exposed to the same problem, viz. The Nipah Virus. Thankfully we were lucky to contain it.

Be safe Sanjay!

Dr Gupta, would the Swine Flu vaccine my husband received in the service back in 1876 give him any immunity against this new variant?
Many thanks!

Sorry!! That was 1976~ LOL! Too early to type...

Two days ago, the USA leaders should have stopped all travel to and from Mexico. Are people from Mexico going to be coming over the border to the USA in fear of getting a worse strain in Mexico and come to the USA where the strain is less severe. If this happens it is going to put a strain on the service Uncle Sam can do. President Bush said in his report on Pandemics that any local community that will depend on the federal calvary in the time of a pandemic will be set for pure tragedy. That says it all. You and your family always need to be prepared for any type of pandemic.

What do we do with Americans that are presently in Mexico? We can order them back in 48 hours. If they get out fine and if they do not then they will have to remain in Mexico. When we order them back from Mexico , we need to keep them in an area contained until they show no signs or symptoms of any sickness for a period of seven days. If they are sick we treat our Americans while they are being contained at locations next to airports and the border. . For our leaders not stop this traffic over the boarder is a poor example of leadership.

Stopping travel for a few days until we learn more about the spread and stains that it posses will not hurt anything. Yes, it may hurt our economy a little but if we allow it to spread for reasons that could have been prevented will hurt us more in the long run.

Friends I have lobbied our US leaders for the last four years on us being under prepared for pandemics and we are not prepared like we should be. For instance we have about 90,000 ventilators in the whole USA and those are used during normal flu season at 85 percent. For years pandemic planners have asked the government to buy more vents which help keep people alive with bad cases of the flu. For there is no excuse that we do not have several million of these in our emergency stockpile. Also the national stock pile was never meant to handle more than a few major disasters at one time and a pandemic can be as bad as 1000 Hurricane Katrina's happening at one time. Sure we are more prepared now then we were five years ago but we do have lots more work to do in the future.

If this current Swine Flu is minimal there is a chance that it can come back at the start of the next flu season , either the same, better or worse then what we have now. This current outbreak if minimal can be a Blessing because we will learn what we did wrong and work on ways of making it better. This way we will be more prepared in the future.

What I can also tell you is that this event should make each and every business, family or individual beef up their pandemic plans and to include pandemic supplies in their disaster kits. Keep in mind these things last for months so the more supplies you have the better it is. If you are prepared then there is really no need to panic even if Uncle Sam does not perform well. For now take the same precautions you normally do for the flu season but make sure you do them all day long like washing your hands. Don't panic just take precautions. If it gets bad stay inside do not even get your mail , the bill collectors can wait for their money.

One last thought, now is the time to pray and be thankful we are at a very mild flu for us here in America and pray for our friends in Mexico.
.

Is there a way to irradiate money in order to attempt to kill this virus on coins and dollar bills to attempt to stop this spread through currency, or should we use bank cards only in order to decrease the cross contamination currency could cause.

My folks are casino slot machine players. Slot play requires pressing the "play buttons" repeatedly. Since numerous patrons, from all over the country and world, play these machines, this seems to me like an ideal way to spread the virus. "Casino flu" is already a slang term for minor illnesses spread by handling chips and playing the slots. However, swine flu is not minor.

Is the casino industry doing anything to alleviate this problem? Are they making special efforts to frequently wipe down the machines with disinfectant spray? Are they making plans to possibly hand out disinfectant towelettes, or perhaps latex gloves, to their patrons, if the situation worsens?

If the situation really gets bad, would state health departments consider closing the casinos, similar to the actions taken by Mexican authorities? Because many states derive so much revenue from gambling and related tourism, might they be reluctant to act?

How much is the casino industry cooperating with health authorities? Have they even been contacted by health agencies? What does the American Gaming Association say about this? I sincerely hope they have contingency plans, for both their sake and ours.

That didn't answer any of my questions at all...

Sanjay, you da man!

I don't have a question just a comment. Normally, I am in agreement with CNN but this time I am angry. With the idea of a possible pandemic, sending Dr. Sanjay Gupta to Mexico was not only irresponsible but possibly deadly. The fact that one person can spread this to many , makes it unconscionable. We are not so stupid as viewers that he could not have covered the story from the studio. Why do we need to see him walking the halls of infected hospitals?

The Government of Mexico is highly irresponsible for not having effective health inspections for the pig farms in that large country.

We go to Kino Bay in Sonora on a regular basis. In Km 70, between Hermosillo and Kino Bay there is a pig farm that smells terrible due to the lack of sanitary conditions for the people working there as well as the pigs being raised there.

The World Community should demand the commmitment of the Government of Mexico for a effective Plan of inspection of their bovine, chiken and pig farms.

The flu is much milder in the US. Maybe this is too optimistic, but could the deadlier strain of the swine flu have killed itself off by being TOO deadly and severe?

An illness needs to be milder for its host to stay up and about, spreading it to more people. That could be why the milder version is spreading, and the worst illness and deaths have only been in mexico.

If people think they have the flu, they should ask their doctor for an in-office flu test. It's quick and easy, and uses a nasal swab to test for Flu-A and Flu-B in under 10 minutes. Not many people know this is available. Knowing for sure whether or not it's flu can avoid unnecessary treatment and worry.

Would pharmacogenomics answer why some people are more susceptible or get more acute cases than others? Some HIV pos people, for ex., don't get AIDS because of mutated co-recptor and they derive from Derbyshire, England, as did survivors of bubonic plague. Anyone analyzing samples from swine-flu afflicted around the world?

what are the probabilities that this current flu outbreak could be a mutated recombinant form of H5N1 Avian flu. it would be interesting to know a little more about the farm that the 4 year old lived on. i understand the virus is 2 parts swine,1 part avian, and 1 part human.

Dear Dr. Gupta and CNN,

I'm wondering why the U.S. Federal Government has left our own Pandemic Response Stage at 0. The WHO level is at 4, and simply reading the chart as show on pandemicflu.gov indicates we should be at a 4 or a 5.

Why has our government left it at 0? Have they abandoned this system, are they deferring to the WHO, or have they forgotten about it completely?

Let's not close the border and halt flights to and from Mexico or anything. Let's let people keep going, getting infected, and bringing it back even though we know it is spreading from person-to-person (NYC prep school, anyone?).

Seriously, what is the problem? Mexico needs to be cut off before any additional infections occur. People are coming back sick and we're still letting them come and go! Enough with the political correctness factor. This is health & safety, not personal offense.

This may not sound politically correct, but are the persons dying part of the large underclass of Mexican citizens? The gap between the rich and poor is tremendous and those on the bottom part of the socioeconomic scale are often chronically undernourished and have less access to health care.

Could the deaths in Mexico be tied to these factors? It seems odd that US citizens getting the same infection suffer only mild symptoms while Mexicans are dying.

I appreciate the dangers of the flu. But how does this swine flu epidemic/pandemic differ from the normal annual flu season? I see statistics that there are 90M annual cases of flu in the US, with 20,000 deaths. So if we are seeing 10s, 100s or even 1000s of cases – with no deaths – why such the level of concern? Not dismissive, really interested in uderstanding.

I live in Pennsylvania where, I believe, there is not a single reported case of swine flu. My 75 year old mother has decided to essentially shut herself in the house and not accept visits from anyone until "this whole thing passes." She claims to be just following the advice of Dr. Gupta on CNN. No, she doesn't suffer from dementia, so whatever her mistake, it's not that it isn't based essentially on reality. So you tell me, are you sensationalizing this or not? What's going on?

I thought the swine flu epidemic of the 70's started in China. I may be mistaken but didn't it start with ducks who were living in close quarters with pigs and humans. The duck got sick and the virus crossed over to the pigs then to humans creating the human version of swine flu? If I am correct then looking for the origin of the outbreak might could be narrowed down to looking for the same type of situation again. Pig farms located close to where geese or ducks also reside. I may have this virus confused with another one that was also very dangerous.

I was wondering as far as the swine flu is concerned, would it be tied to the rocket launch that N. Korea sent into the ocean last month? It just seems crazy that the majority of the infected are in the costal states, especially mexico, which is directly across from Korea. I believe that the virus seems to be man-made and could have possibly been sent into the ocean to where it would contaminate the water.

I'm from Mexico City living in Salt Lake City. I'm watching very closely Dr. Gupta's reports from "D.F" my question is why not the news have shown the faces of the people who have died because of the flu. Why the Mexican authorities are hidding the human factor and only showing statistics? Why so many people are dying in Mexico when the ones infected in the U.S. have not been fatal. What is the difference on treatment?
Why not the Mexican authorities have detected the origin of the contamination if there is such pig farm.
Why if it wasn't such pig farm and was just generic engineered as part of a bactereoligical treath to the United States by using Mexico as a next door neighbor and the daily heavy human traffic between both nations.
Please Dr. Gupta, keep investigating.
Sincerely,

Teresa Sanchez-Howes

Please investige and tells us something we do not know already!

We need to know what testing is done that confirms Swine Flu. How long does it take to get the results of the culture and how long do we have to be sick before a culture will even show up the infection, can we know on the first day? Sometimes testing too early will not give results and so to determine matter of factly testing is done a few days later..we need to know the facts. If the facts are not known then we need to know this as well...

Can it even be determined by a throat culture? If not, how do we determine matter of factly that we have Swine flu and not something else? What is the name of the medicine we need take to fight it? What is the reccommended dosage?

Then we need to know…what the incubation time period is, meaning once the virus is passed how long before symptoms start to appear and also we need to know, how long are we infected and able to pass it on to others….then we will be better prepared to deal with this.

The most important is the testing to determine if it is in fact Swine flu or not…I am surprised Dr. Sunjay Gupta/CNN does not talk on these points at all, but continue to repeat the same things we hear on every station over and over again….we need to have real information…Please educate us not just use up air time repeating the same stories over and over…give us Americans more credit then this.

Talk to us like our President, thank God is doing and treat us like we have some brains….

It occurs to me curious that "those most at risk" don't seem to be getting this disease, but otherwise young healthy adults are. Perhaps the flu shot is doing more good than expected as the one's most likely to have gotten a flu shot are seniors and children and they are not the ones getting sick.
Just a thought.

Historically, a person that already has a normally transmissible human flu that is in constant close contact with animals infected with their own type of flu stands the slight chance of contracting two separate strains of flu simultaneously. The two strains can exchange genetic material within that infected person to create a new strain with DNA from both.

This doesn't happen often, for obvious reasons.

Why should people trust the company 'Baxter,' to make a vaccine for this particular strain of flu?

This is the same firm that "accidentally" sent a deadly form of live avian flu to the Avir Green Hill Biotechnology in Austria. This virus came close to infecting people at a Vienna Hospital, who were in turn prescribed 'Tamiflu,' by the same company Baxter who almost killed millions of people.

Also, why would anyone even want to get vaccinated? Vaccines can help a virus mutate into a more lethal form.

I wonder if we were so smart years ago allowing the commercial air carriers to cut back on the number of air exchanges on flights. As I recall, to save fuel, the carriers reduced the air exchanges from over 30 to less than 5 per hour. I always turn off the overhead air vent when flying. At least anecdotally, it seems obvious that with such a reduction, the incidence of flight-related airborne illnesses has risen. Perhaps the governent should focus its attention on this aspect of the crisis and encourage the carriers to re-up the number of in-flight air exchanges.

First point : The flu only happens in winter or spring time. No such thing as summer flu. Why is not anyone talking about the effect of summer heat on the virus when that could be the solution? if the weather is hot, then the virus will die out. No??

Second point: Mexico is part of the Strategic North American Perimeter. Why did the US and canada leave it to the Mexican authorities alone to deal with the flu problems in Oaxaca in march and early april? Why dont we intervene in the field? It is a matter of imbalance between and emerging-third world situation as opposed to US and Canada, where the cost of our interdependency can be phenomenal.

One always hears of the number of people who died contracting this flu, but never how many survived it! I wonder what the approx. ratio of persons are who died after contracting it – that's the only way to really know how dangerous it is...

If you want to perform responsible journalism, please tell us the total number of travelers who have entered the U.S. from Mexico, not just how many travelers have fallen sick after returning from Mexico. Without that context, you are adding to the scare factor and not being responsible.

I was in the military in the late 70's when there was a swine flu outbreak as well as a vaccine which had been developed. Is there any of this vaccine stored at the CDC or DOD? If so, is there any similarity in the former strain which could be used to develop a current vaccine?

You are overlooking an obvious big question. What is the mortality rate of this virus?

People want to know that so they can wrap their heads around how bad this stuff really is.

I have tickets to go to San Carlos Mexico Senora for Friday, May 1st. I was debating on going, but seeing that the flu has also hit the states, I don't see where it makes any difference. I have as much of a chance getting it at walmart, touching carts and items that other's have also touched. I live in New York State, which has the highest incidence in the United States of America. Though I am closer to the Adirondacks than New York City, there are people from NY city coming here everyday.
Also, I have noticed that, (though common sense would tell you this) sharing drinks, and eating utensils has not been stressed at all. I couldn't tell you how many times I see people using the same straw for their drinks, using the same spoon to sample a taste, etc. It is amazing how many people do that, and not just family members. One person saying to the other, "Here, taste this, isn't it great?" I do think that should be stressed more for those who are in the habit of sharing drink and food!

Please inform the public that it is estimated that 20,000+people die and 100,000+ are hospitalized every year from complications related to the flu. The way this flu is being covered in the press, if only a portion of these deaths are from this strain, we will have panic in a perfectly normal situation.

What are the chances of this being a genetically created virus by a pharmaceutical company who will miraculously present the cure a month from now and generate millions in profit.

My brother got back from Mexico City last week from a business trip and was feeling really bad with severe flu. He went to the doctors and he told them where he was and how he was feeling and they send him home with a instructions on how to wash his hands better when traveling!!! Can you believe that!!!!!!

I think that everyone working in any kind of food-related business should be tested DAILY before working around food. This could easily be done by having their temperature taken and sent home if it exceeds 100 degrees. There are alot of foreigners working in the restaurant business that may be traveling back and forth to their country. The swine flu would be spread rapidly if even one person working in a restaurant had it.

I agree with Beverly Solomon. CNN you FAQ is useless. Someone tell me what the odds are if 100 people get Swine Flu how many could die. 10%? 5%? I have a feeling the Media is having a field day with Swine Flu since there is nothing else to report this week.

I wish Dr. Gupta and others in the main stream media would start telling the truth that this strain is impossible to have happend naturally but is in fact synthetic. Really brings some harrowing questions as to just what is going on.

Gerald, you may be right.

I have heard that Tamiflu was working to help cure the sxs that are actually killing the people. If that is the case, why is there cause for concern to create a "miraculous cure"? All I am really concerned with is if it is fatal. If it is just a virus that causes mild sxs for 7-14 days no big deal, but if it is something that has a higher chance of killing you than I am interested. My other thought is....... if it can stay dormant for 4 days than how do we know that our family is not sick from it right now. My husband just feel sick yesterday with common sxs of pollen allergies/cold AEB scratchy throat, decreased appetite, lethargic, sneezing,headache,runny nose, ect... Now am I supposed to take him to the doctor or let it run its corse? What if it is "swine flu" and it infects my family which in turns infects the public? Or go out and flood the ER and doctors office for a simple cold/allergy? I just would like some suggestions on what to do. I do realize there are still unanswered questions that even the CDC does'nt know so I don't blame anyone just poundering if you will on what to do............ (?)

Rhea..

You speak of common sense yet, you forget to apply it when making a decision to travel to Mexico. If the numbers of people infected in Mexico are 10 times than the number of people in New York, don't you think you are increasing your chances of getting the virus?

Just a thought.

Why aren't preventive vaccines being started in case this turns into a pandemic? By then it's too late is it not? I would think local health officials would begin a demand for such proactive response!

Swine flu that infects humans exists because humans raise birds and pigs in crowded, unhealthy conditions in close proximity to human communities. It went from birds to pigs to humans, mutating along the way. We need to eliminate factory farming, but nobody is talking about this.

Isn't this just another attempt to get our focus away from the recent revelations about the criminal act of torture? These numbers seem awful small to represent a pandemic. Also, didn't we go through this once before?

I have heard that if diagnosed, the swine flu is very treatable with antiviral medication. I would like to know why so many people in Mexico are dying. Is it because they don't have the treatment facilities necessary? Is it because people didn't go to the doctor, thinking it was just the flu? Apparently Mexico doesn't have the supplies needed to fight this.

I also have to questions the media's coverage of this. Almost everything I have read is doom and gloom and the world is coming to an end. Why aren't you putting it into perspective? 50 confirmed cases in the US. In any given day, there is 30 kids absent from the local high school because of sickness. My husband and I are scheduled to go to Mexico in a week and half. I'm not cancelling my trip because the media is scaring the public. We plan on being dilligent and washing hands and everything else we are supposed to do.

Obama is right, we should be vigilent but we shouldn't panic. Shame on the media correspondents for making it sound like the world is coming to an end. I even read an article on the internet stating what a "pandemic" would be like. Talk about scare tactics.

My biggest concern is that I have seen no difference in how the goverment is handling this outbreak compared to all the others. This tells me if we have a real problem other than the flu. Is the goverment ready to take steps if something bigger comes along. If they are not progessing to care care of things like this better, what happens if we have a biological germ or global disaster.

How was this not concocted in a laboratory someplace? You are telling me that swine, bird, and human flu mutates into one, and can harm humans, and it can occur all over the world? Wouldn't the virus keep mutating by the time it hit Britain, Scotland, etc?

Irrespective of what happens relative to the transmission of swine flu, it is a great time to explain how to practice a more sterile technique to the general population:

1. If you sneeze or cough in your hands or you help your child blow their nose, etc., wash your hands.

2. Food handlers, especially in coffee shops, take your money and then handle the RIM of your cup and put their entire hand on the lid, thereby transmitting ALL the bacteria collected on their hands. Someone who doesn't handle money should fill the cups or, at the very least, no one should touch the portions of the cup or silverware that goes in your mouth. We need to demand such care. Also, before and after eating, wash your hands.

3. Think Donald Trump is correct, we do not need to shake hands! Also, we do not need communal cups or hosts in churches.

4. Stay home from work/school when you are sick and practice cleanliness when you are there. People should be encouraged to disinfect their keyboards and to wash their hands when they enter the coffee/lunch room...have Purell at the door.

Think a few simple things like this will go far to preventing illness in general. Hope this scare will raise public awareness of common cleanliness issues!

The Swine Flu is a combination of the Nile Virus and a tetanic toxoide.
easily treated with Biomagnetism

I know that viruses can rapidly mutate while spreading in its host population, and they steal snips of host DNA.

Is a new virus, springing up out of third world urbia with such a mix of strain markers at once, really any surprise?

Who were the experts initially reporting multiple genetic strain signatures?

The All Mighty Dollar continues to rule over our safety..... It's O.K. if the Mexicans work here illegally, break the law, whatever the case may be they are excluded from doing wrong as long as they get up and report to their perspective jobs. No one knows anything about them except that the will work for low wages...

These Mexican workers are preparing our foods, watching our children, selling all kinds of food on every street corner. We'll for sure will have the Swine Flu in record time.... We have at least fifteen million illegal Mexicans over here going back and forth to Mexico, now our lives mean nothing and fifteen million Mexicans are more important than us law abiding citizens... My son was shot fourteen times by illegal mexican- gangs. They are still running around loose
to shoot or kill someone else's child. Now we are subjected to the Swine Flu... "Sheeps being led to slaughter willinging......"

Wow this is funny. These media outlets serve this crap and you eat it up.

Please look at how many people die in car accidents yearly in this country and divide that by the number of days in a year.

You think this is bad!

Have a great drive home!

Once again those of us with no health care will be forced to bear the brunt of the fear and whatever comes next. The lowest paid with no healthcare are the ones who touch food, beds, tables, etc. They are also the ones who come in contact with the most people and have the most to lose as most don't have paid sick days. Just another thing to push people farther over the brink into sinking waters.

OK, here's the deal. The Swine Flu is a threat. HOWEVER, it is NOT as large a threat as it is being made to be. I am an Emergency Physician and numerous times today I have had patients come to me frantically saying they are"dieing of swine flu." the fact of the matter is that they are not, and as of now, we have seen no deaths in the US linked to Swine Flu. Tamiflu and Relensa have been very effective in combatting the symptoms, but you must realize that there is relatively little any physician can do as far as eliminating the virus. It is a virus- UNABLE TO BE TREATED THROUGH ANTIBIOTICS. Please, if you are genuinely concerned about the virus, be checked. However, the US Emergency rooms are far too crowded already. If you have no legitiamate basis to visit one, please do not so we can help those who are truly ill and need medical attention.

I have an immune system disorder and a common cold can kill me, why do i keep seeing sick people walking around sneezing and coughing? Don't you all realize that cancer patients and people like me can't handle what you can? Its very rude! Now i have to wear a mask to go out today, i wouldnt if sick people would just stay home for once! I'm scared of the swine flu only because i know it can kill me and because i know so many people out there refuse to take advice and stay home if they get sick. Thats why its spreading so fast, please... think about someone other than yourselves for once!

My 7 year old child is currently pos for A influenza one of the three students that prompted the Richardson Texas school to close. After her first test, they sent us to a local Dallas (Presby )emergency room and said we could get her second swab there. They had no idea what to do. Asked us if we would like to be admitted?? and then told us if we didn't want to be admitted, we would have to find another lab. They let us and my daughter who is one of the 4 probable cases of Swine Flu in Dallas county walk out without even getting our name. Our pediatrician was able to secure a second test for us after we drove a vomiting child around dallas for an hour trying to play by the rules. No one from the Dallas County health dept has even contacted us? I don't see a very tight net around this thing. Getting tamiflu was even more challenging. There was no liquid form in Dallas county.

I agree! I also have an immune system disorder that means the flu would definetly be a big problem for me!

How is reporting on an epidemic of a new flu strain thats killed over 100 people in a short time " crap " ? Honestly its people like that, that end up spreading this thing around. They take it lightly until they catch it then walk around coughing in everyones face, then they get better and someone like me ends up having serious problems because they dont have the immune system to fight it.

Its sad but i too see see sick people walking around EVERYDAY & wonder " why are you so rude to think you wont pass that to someone with cancer or aids or someone like me w/immune system problems?" I swear i think people are just oblivious to everything around them.

Of course people are saying this swine flu is no big deal, no big deal to THEM! Try having your immune system taken away and come back and we'll talk !

I agree with Ramiro Chavez: When you have pigs you must keep them clean at all times. I know I had pigs before and everyday twice a day I would take the hose go to the pen and scrub it down. I even would take shampoo for dogs and give the pigs a good scrub down one by one with brushes. This will not kill the pigs, on the contrary, they love water. Also their food and water dishes have to be clean at all times. The water has to be fresh always. After they eat, I wash their bowls out with detergent and water real good. In many places around the world where there are farms of cows, pigs, or other animals that are for human consumption, and sometimes the owners have a hard time keeping the pens and stalls clean. They do not have in some cases enough money to pay hired hands to do the cleaning. I never been to Mexico, but I can imagine that the pig pens are dirty and they don't get cleaned as often as they should. But they should think, if you like to eat out of clean dishes and have a clean home, them you have to have all pets and animals clean also. But as it is in many latin american countries, woman as many do, spend the day with those soap operas or just outside with friends and ignore the home and the cleanliness. Thank God, I keep a clean home.

Yes Cheryl lets exterminate the Mexicans! All the wrong doing in the US is all in thanks to them! What with them taking all of our good jobs, such as picking strawberries and being maids with all of the benefits that come with those jobs its not fair to us law abiding citizens! And since they come and go to Mexico to visit their families so EASILY because crossing the border is like crossing the street we are all doomed to get the swine flu!

I would like to know how bad this outbreak really is not what they at CNN are told to read but whats in between the lines that they are not saying.And is there a supple for the general public if this gets to a number 6 or just enough to protect certain individuals.

PS 174 in Queens ,NY was just closed until further notice ny NYC health officials..

In the past, the FDA gave out a warning that Tamiflu and Relenza can have serious psychiatric side effects. Is it safe for someone with psychiatric disorders to take these medications, especially if they are on psychotropic medications?

I keep wondering why the swine flu is infecting healthy young people instead of the weaker sectors of the population. Could it be that young people are not targeted to get flu shots but infants and less healthy adults are , and the flu shot is providing may be some type of protection.

Maybe flu shots should ge encourged for all people, no matter of their age or medical condition in hopes of curtailing a pandemic

Could this outbreak of swine flu in Mexico City be a failed assasination attempt by the Mexican drug cartel on President Obama's life – using the virus-infected people as "suicide bombers" to contaminate intended targets? How can the US be sure that this is not a biological attack from a foreign country using its people as soldiers to carry out this "virus" war?

Anyone remember when we were all going to die of SARS? Or BSE/Kreutzfeld-Jacob? So much devastation. The planet in absolute peril. Come on people, stop buying the b.s.!
IMHO this is nothing but an empty hype.
But if it's real – seriously – do you think you little face mask is going to save you? If really as sever as being propagated in the media, this would be a wonderful example of Darwinism. Creationist pay attention.

Good morning all!

This message came from my husband who works for HCA, an international hospital corporation.

It appears that they do not currently perceive the Swine Flu to be any more sever than treating the seasonal flu. That is comforting news. Please pass this information on to your friends and loved ones!

Thank-you!

Things according to you, were supposed to kill me at any moment (over the last decade) if I fail to listen to “YOUR ADVISE”.
1 – SARS
2 – Mad Cow Disease (which affect deer, cows, sheep & humans)
3 – Bird Flu
Just to mention a few.
And now Swine Flu which is supposed to be the next big KILLER of man kind. And all that's happened in every instance of this major news is Travel slows, people become afraid of their own neighbors and some scientist come beginning for another 1.5 billion in our tax monies (in an already slow economy). Big media is great at making everyone afraid of something or someone. Tell me, are we so content as a society that we have to create a different monster everyday just to feel human again??

Sheeeez, enough already!!

This things spreading from the airports etc, thats why its already hitting in every continent! Who in their right mind would ride a plane or bus right now? It would be different if we knew people were curious and inteligent enough to stay home when they show symptoms. and if people actaully did wash their hands or convered their mouths, but we all know they dont.

I'm sick of seeing families w/ little kids walking around sick, coughing sneezing and really just spreading virus' around everywhere! I was at the pharmacy and a woman had an infant on her arm, and the infant coughed every 5 seconds and she stood there for like 15 minutes! I had to stand outside with my mouth covered. Everyone was angry yet for some reason SHE stayed inside while everyone else had to retreat away from her. Is this obliviousness or rudeness? Why do parents think its ok for them to take their sick kids in public? ITS GROSS! Its bad enough every kid i see is at least 40 lbs overweight because parents can't understand that you don't feed kids pop-tarts and soda for breakfast, now parents can't even figure out how to keep their kids home in bed when their sick?

Does anyone out there know if people on Enbrel should stop taking it to try and get their immune systems up? I havnt taken mine because of this swine flu and now my elbows are the size of soft-balls. I will be really angrey if i still get this flu becuase of some rude person who just can't put a mask on or stay home. PLEASE – i'm begging people.. if you're sick stop going out!

Something important for health officials to consider: when people arrive at hospital to be tested for swine flu, and swine flu is ruled out - take the opportunity to provide a swab test for the HIV pandemic as well. Early symptoms of HIV often mimic severe flu. Early diagnosis saves lives. Statistics show that millions of people are walking about unaware they have HIV. Many leave emergency rooms without performing this simple test.

WE ALL NEED TO STEP BACK AND BREATHE;MY FEELING IS:THE MEDIA NEWS NEEDS A STORY....I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN BUT TO SCARE PEOPLE INTO THINKING WE HAVE TO HIDE IN A CAVE AND DO NOTHING AND GO NOWHERE IS TOO MUCH HYPE!!IT ALL COMES DOWN TO GOOD SANITATION OF ALL PEOPLE;ANY RACE ANY COLOR....CLEAN,CLEAN,CLEAN..LISTEN TO THE DOCTORS AND KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE WHO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS AND DO AS THEY SAY, WASH HANDS, STAY HOME IF YOUR SICK, AND DON'T COUGH OR SNEEZE ON OTHERS!!! [DUH]DON'T CLOSE THE BORDERS IT'S ALREADY HERE;AND TRY YOUR BEST–MEDIA BROADCASTERS TO CALM THE FEARS THAT PEOPLE ALREADY HAVE!!!!????

Come on people, does anyone remember SARS, bird flu?

We get massive virus and health scares every couple of years. Perhaps people should just learn to deal with the fact that it ain't going to kill millions of people, end of story.

Why can not we keep just a little perspective....

There were nearly 6,420,000 auto accidents in the United States in 2005.

The financial cost of these crashes is more than 230 Billion dollars.

2.9 million people were injured and 42,636 people killed. About 115 people die every day
in vehicle crashes in the United States - one death every 13 minutes.

And the disease has spread to every mechanized nation in the world.

Why don't we just shut everything down?????

Get a grip!!! Less than 200 people in the entire WORLD and people are panicking as if it was the end of the world! If the media, including CNN, who has a whole list of articles about the flu, weren't making such a big deal out of it, no one would notice this. The media has blown everything out of proportion and then reporting on that!!
I have been through the swine flu, the asian flu, and a whole list of
"named" flues where people were dropping like flies, and there wasn't this much to-do about all of them put together!!
MEDIA – STOP FEAR MONGERING!!!

Dr. Gupta, I have admired your coverage of medically related news for years. My wife is a Public Health Service Physician and I appreciate the hard work you all do to keep the public informed in situations like this but you blew most of your credibility on this issue with your stunt of sneaking into the hospital in Mexico. There was no real news provided by that action and I can only imagine how incensed you would be if a foreign reporter sneaked into a hospital you were working in. Shame on you! That was gratuitous grandstanding at best and criminal probably. CNN should demand that you publicly apologize.

why in the world will janet napolitano not close the borders? it is coming from mexico into ca and spreading from there. i just do not get the laxity in our gov't. it makes us less safe. it does not have to be forever. we are not one country ( the usa and mexico).

There is no way that this could happen by chance. The bird, swin, and human flu all in one flu. and from 3 different counties. This is rather astonishing to realize, because for this to have been a natural combination of viral fragments, it means an infected bird from North America would have had to infect pigs in Europe, then be re-infected by those same pigs with an unlikely cross-species mutation that allowed the bird to carry it again, then that bird would have had to fly to Asia and infected pigs there, and those Asian pigs then mutated the virus once again (while preserving the European swine and bird flu elements) to become human transmittable, and then a human would have had to catch that virus from the Asian pigs - in Mexico! - and spread it to others. (This isn't the only explanation of how it could have happened, but it is one scenario that gives you an idea of the complexity of such a thing happening). EAT PLENTY OF GARLIC AND TAKE COLLOIDAL SILVER, both strong anti-virals.

Hello from Canada..I was just watching CNN and your breaking news about finding the little one who first developed Swine Flu..How will that little guy feel knowing he perhaps was the first to show signs of this virus...Personally I feel this little man might not enjoy knowing he was the first..I care and certainly wouldnt want my child shown on T.V

OK Angela thats a great concept, except for almost all of the hog farms in the US consist of more that 2000 hogs a farm. Thanks but know the facts.

They need to educate the people in Mexico, how to wear facial masks properly. I"ve seen all kinds of people on TV, wearing their facial masks, without covering their noses!!!!!! Which is useless when you are trying not to get or give this Swine Flu etc..... Are they not given instructions when they are given the facial masks to wear???????

I have been suffering with the flu which has really layed me low for one week now (and counting) and have had the same symptoms as listed for swine flu. I called my doctor after hearing all the news about the possible pandemic and was told that it very well could be the swine flu but as I was already feeling a bit better I didn't need to be seen unless I got worse. My question is I can't be the only one to have been hit with this illness and who didn't see a doctor. Should I have at least been tested? The total number of confirmed cases in the US have been less than 70 but is this a realistic statistic? How many have actually had this virus but have not been tested or even seen by a doctor?

Please Dr. Gupta, can you help CNN control itself. I was embarassed to see you sneak into a hospital into Mexico, making a big deal about "security guards" which all hospitals have by the way, and then sensationalistically say "there are sick people in this very building." Please get a grip and stop needlessly frightening people. Also, can you exercise some editorial control over CNN, like them showing images of labs testing bacterial cultures when the flu is caused by a virus and not the bacteria. CNN has resorted to fear-mongering as a business model instead of genuine news, and we the public are getting sick of THAT, not swine flu. If you want sensationalistic journalism, why don't you investigate the fact that cash-strapped researchers into the field of viruses had a government funding deadline of 27 April this year, which is suspicously coincident with the declaration of an emergency?

Imagine what would happen if Susan Boyle contracted Swine Flu – the media would go into a paroxysm of such exaggerated hype, all of our heads would explode from the useless information overload!

I don't understand why everyone is making such a big deal about if maybe 152 people have died of flu like cases in mexico but there are only 7 of the people who died that have actually had swine influenza

Please do provide serious helpful information on the true efficacy of the masks and what micron size they actually protect down to. the data is hard to find on influenza micron size. if a mask or personal ion device only goes to .04 0r 3 what use are they? on subways or in close proximity. It is not helpful to anyone to be vague.And what about wearing glove s on t he trains?protecting our hands ? you need to carry alchol wipes and continually clean your hands in public areas these things should be dsicussed not justa simple wash your hands by the time people get home they could have touched hundreds of places and if the virus can live for 48 hrs on poles and surfaces that is a great deal of infectious places

I know a person who might have the swine flu, and he hangs around my son!!:(

We should watch the News, and as a community we should work together to get this nasty flu out of out Country! Cheer with me, "NO MORE SWINE FLU! NO MORE SWINE FLU! NO MORE SWINE FLU"(And we should keep cheering until it is out of the U.S!!!):)

The best FAQ I've seen for Swine Flu is over at the WHO website – it's interesting to note that the latest statement by the WHO General Director and Phase 4 declaration does not yet recommend or impose ANY travel restrictions.

I read this morning that WHO is using Baxter Pharmaceuticals to work on the swine flu vaccine. I also read that Baxter Pharmaceuticals is under investigation for sending out live avian flu viruses to be used as a vaccine. This concerns me more than the swine flu. If the CDC were as concerned as they say, they would have restricted travel between the borders.

Why isn't there more information on the large factory hog farm located next to the Mexican village where the swine flu was first discovered? I read that the farm pigs tested negative for swine flu, but I find that very hard to believe. I believe more testing should be done at the farm, by independent labs. Also I read an interesting article saying that earlier this year, before the swine flu broke out, that the villagers were protesting the hog farm because it was polluting their air and water and making residents ill. Why has this not been reported in the press?

Just a few months ago, I read an article about the extreme dangers of factory farming – because they spread disease and pollution. Why isn't the US government and international community paying more attention to this problem?

I would like to see a complete investigation of the factory hog farm. It is obvious to me that if people are getting a "swine flu" and they live right next door to a large factory hog farm, that the swine flu came from that farm, and the farm should be investigated so we can fully understand what this "swine flu" is.

Thanks.

Debra Brickel is exactly right. CNN, you are best positioned to investigate and report on the root causes of trans-species pandemics such as this latest variant of Swine Flu. Resist the lobbying on part of those with a financial stake in censorship and misinformation. In "Earth In The Balance" you did a teriffic job going undercover to reveal the exotic species black markets of Thailand, you can do it for this issue as well.

does contracting the h1n1 automatically help one develop antibodies for protection in the future????????