Microsoft

• Microsoft has announced an interactive flu diagnostic tool which has been endorsed by the American College of Emergency Medicine.
• It is licensed by Emory University, Atlanta, Ga., which also is the home to the CDC.
• You can use it for adults or children, who have been a special concern this year.

Flu.gov

• The federal government’s information site is Flu.gov. This one site is packed with information about seasonal flu and pandemic flu, pulling together information from many government sources.

Google

• Google offers an interactive chart based on searches for information about the flu which, says the search company, predicts flu two weeks earlier than CDC reports do.
• It can show you the Mid-Atlantic region or a section of the world.
• This could be useful to employers or others trying to anticipate absences or attendance at a specific event.

The Washington Post

“Are you wondering whether you or your kid is sick enough to see a doctor to get treated for swine flu? Microsoft Corp., working with doctors at Emory University, Wednesday announced the availability of an interactive web site to help.

“If you click on that link, you’ll see it asks for your age and a series of questions about whether you or your child is suffering from a fever or other symptoms or has any other health problems. It can only be used for kids age 12 and older.

“It may tell you that it is indeed swine flu, known officially as the 2009 H1N1 virus, but that all you need to do is rest and get plenty of fluids. Or it may say you should seek immediate medical attention because “you may be very sick.”

“The site, which has been endorsed by the American College of Emergency Medicine, is part of a broader effort to minimize the number of people who are running to the doctor or the local emergency room because they are worried about swine flu. Officials are worried that the health system could get overwhelmed if that happens. Most people who get the virus will suffer relatively mild symptoms and recover without needing to see a doctor. But there are some people who are at risk, such as pregnant women and people with other health problems, such as asthma, diabetes and obesity.” ( Emphasis added)

Source: Washington Post, October 7, 2009