Is Your Swine Flu Severe? Find Out Online

Oct. 8, 2009— -- Those who fear they are infected with the swine flu may now go online to determine whether they are better off staying at home -- or if they should see their doctor immediately.

On Wednesday, Microsoft launched a new site called the H1N1 Response Center. The site lets users determine whether their symptoms are severe enough to warrant treatment in a hospital setting.

Using a questionnaire developed with health experts at Emory University, the tool poses a series of questions, from age and sex to the symptoms they are experiencing. Depending on their answers, those taking the assessment may receive a message advising them to stay home and rest -- or alternatively to call their doctor immediately.

"We just felt that this was something where we could jump in and lend a hand," said David Cerino, general manager of consumer health solutions for Microsoft, who said that the concept for the resource followed widespread public concern over the pandemic virus.

The rollout of the online tool is timely. Last week, a study by Trust for America's Health found that hospital capacity in 15 states could be overwhelmed by patients in the event of a widespread outbreak. Eliminating non-severe patients from hospital care is crucial, said Dr. Arthur Kellermann, professor of emergency medicine and an associate dean of the Emory School of Medicine.

"The important thing to remember is that [the swine flu] leads to relatively minor disease in the vast majority of people, but for some it is very severe," Kellermann said. "This tool has been designed very carefully and with a huge amount of work to pull those who are severely ill and those who are at high risk from this illness into the health care system, while at the same time reassuring those at low risk that it is both safe and prudent for them to stay at home, go to bed, take fluids and do what they need to do to recover.