“I hope you will update us on the new Pandemic Flu Service telephone number released to the media on Thursday afternoon?

Which is 0800-1513-100

From which through a set of detailed questions one will be able through a willing neighbour obtain your free Antiviral Medication.”

“Sir Lazarus, 'misdiagnosis' of say menigitis is a lot more serious then 'compromise' on safety and anyways it is illegal to compromise if it results in a persons death.”

“Carol - sorry if I misunderstood your earlier post. I understand your concerns of misdiagnosis and possible consequences. Unfortunately, as well prepareed as we are in UK, the NHS primary health care system is not geared up for the vast numbers of people involved with flu. We have therefore to compromise some safety for a relative few to enable the many to be treated in the most effective and proportionate way, as well as trying to maintain normal NHS healthcare. Sad but true I'm afraid.”

“Well my son has Asthma, my wife has loads on what they term underlying health problems and I need to be well to look after her.

There is no way I am going to consult a non medical trained person to see if I have the Swine Flu, hell if they can misdiagnose meningits in an hospital then it shows that the hotline is a sham.

So if I suspect that any of us have this wine flu, It will be off to the doctors whether they like it or not as I am unwilling to risk the well being of anyone in my household as at least two of my hosuehold are at great risk from Swine flu.

I would encourage all to do the same if anyone is at risk due to underlying health problems.”

“Joke all you like
perhaps you misunderstood what I was saying
I have witnessed two cases of children almost dying because they were misdiagnosed with swine flu after a telephone diagnosis, they were prescribed tamiflu but because of that they were refused the treatment they needed until they became seriously ill .
There is a girl in the news this morning who was refused treatment for meningitis because a doctor had decided it was swine flu in the early stages.
Staying at home is the best option i agree if indeed this is the correct diagnosis
But as i said not everyone with a fever and one or two other symptoms has this flu ..any more than everyone with a headache has meningitis.
Not everyone has the ability to distinguish symptoms and describe them correctly over the telephone.
A unit can be mobile it does not have to mean people leaving their homes
I have yet to see a comparison between the direct deaths due to swine flu vs the direct deaths due to normal flu
It is out of season that is all, the risks are no worse.
people wuth reduced immunity and existing respiratory problems are also at risk if they get a common cold.
A child with a chest infection and asthma is at risk of dying if misdiagnosed as swine flu and not treated”

“Carol, have you got crackling in your ear? Have you felt like this all weeeeeeeeeeek?”

“Carol- don't be silly. Triage, where? All those sick people travelling to the triage point will be infecting others. This situation is really about Tamiflu. We didn't have this last time and the human species survived. Stay at home until you recover if you get it.
Those with reduced immunity will be seen to properly. It is not Bubonic Plague!”

“what is this then ? misdiagnosis.com ?
My concern is that without proper examination there are going to be many misdiagnosed cases with other illnesses.
Not everyone with a headache ,cough lethargy and high temperature is swine flu .
I think it is time to stop scaremongering and start diagnosing people correctly .
A unit desgned to triage,diagnose and treat would have been a lot more useful.
I wonder how many people will get seriously ill or even die before this 'self dignosis' joke is finished with !”