Swine Flu

[expat]

Just heard a woman on the radio saying she think she has had swine flu, but will not show up on the stats. She had flu, no question, and there is only Swine Flu about at the moment. Her doctor wanted to test her for Swine Flu, but was refused by the NHS, because she could not prove that she had been in contact with someone who had it.

Well, that'll keep the statistics down, if they refuse to let doctors look for it.

[Menelaus]

Just heard a woman on the radio saying she think she has had swine flu, but will not show up on the stats. She had flu, no question, and there is only Swine Flu about at the moment. Her doctor wanted to test her for Swine Flu, but was refused by the NHS, because she could not prove that she had been in contact with someone who had it.

Well, that'll keep the statistics down, if they refuse to let doctors look for it.

That's ridiculous. Her local PCT refused to test her for it?

Also: how did she know it was swine flu rather than any other influenza?

[DimPrawn]

I suspect the test for swine flu is quite expensive.

She got over it okay, so testing her now (After the event) is just a wast of money.

[TimberWolf]

The pharmaceutical companies will be as happy as pigs in tulip with the statistics then, if only dead, dying or very ill people with provable swine contact are tested.

[expat]

That's ridiculous. Her local PCT refused to test her for it?

Also: how did she know it was swine flu rather than any other influenza?

She thinks it was, because there isn't any other kind of flu going round at the moment.

We'll never know anyway.

[MPwannadecentincome]

it could be any strain of 'flu - my 3 kids all had something just after half term.

the point is valid though the stats are a nonsense.

[Cyberman]

At this moment in time, anybody with flu should be at least given Tamiflu, which is only effective if taken within 48 hours, and should remain indoors until clear.

Failure to do that obviously risks escalation of the disease and also later possible fatal consequences for the patient. No wonder cases have doubled within a few days and will continue to expand at a similar rate.