There are some cases of swine flu that hit people who didn't travel to Mexico ,how canh they determine the severity of flu or swine flu among these infected people? Is it safe to eat in resteraunts beacuse of pork or chicken ?

It is amazing the contrast in affected people in Mexico vs US citizens to this "Swine Flu". It is my thought that its because of the availability of better medical attention (health care) and its possible that the quality of water is better here in the US giving the people in Mexico a worse pre-disposition to this virus.

I wonder, of those who have tested positive for this virus here in the US, have they all received the TamiFlu vaccine?? I've heard that after a certain point in the illness, the vaccine does not help. What are they prescribing people to do to get through its natural viral course?? Extra vitamins? Bed rest? Lots of Tylenol to keep the fever down ??

Renee In FLA

So with all of this talk about Swine Flu going on everywhere, does it ever cross anyone's mind where did this strain come from? Should the thought of Bio Terrorism be in our heads?? Or is that just a crazy thought???

People should consider installing UV lights in their furnace and airconditioning ductwork. The lights will kill the swine flu, SARS, mold and many other air borne virises as well as dust mites. Your local HVAC dealer can install these easliy.

There are now reported cases in some US States - what are the containment plans to prevent further spread? And how can you differentiate it from the common flu? Is it also airborne and can be spread if a carrier is travelling from one place to another, just like what happened to SARS?

Even though I don't have swine flu right now, as a precaution, can I go to my doctor and ask for a prescription for antivirals, just in case? (I'm trying to be proactive.)

Thanks,

Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington

1ST- i AM NOT A DOCTOR
2ND – I and my husband ,however, did survive a virus illness that even the CDC could not figure out. After being VERY ill for 4 days I was finaly able to get up and I gave us both Pau d' Arco ,(an herb). This acts like a pactman and surrounds the virus,and your white cells do the rest and you recover. This may help in this situation. I know that this has and will remain in my medicine supply. The Pau d' Arco is the bark of the Tahebo tree.

Hopefully,everyone recovers quickly.

Officials are asking the public to rethink traveling to Mexico. Why isn't the crossing being closed between Mexico and the U.S. near San Diego as the Mayor of the town has requested? Shouldn't Napolitano be more proactive rather than waiting to see what happens and then being reactive? I know the administration wants the Mexican vote, but at what price?

It's the flu...wash your hands, cover your mouth...stay home if your sick. It is not cholera, tuberculosis, eboli, aids, small pox, on..and on...we are not living in 1918 where thousands died...why no alert notices by TV, radio and internet. I am going to scream if hear another 1918 story...if that's the case we might as well talk about the Black Plague.

I am concerned about 2 trips I have scheduled to Mexico. A cruise and 10 days in Cancun. Will the airlines and cruise companies refund charges due to the Swine Flu?

Has anyone considered that this may be a lab created flu, brought on by the drug cartels to divert attention and funding away from the war on drugs?

All health care facilities should have a flu clinic where anyone having symptoms can go without going to primaries and urgent cares for I have found whenever I go to those with a flu, they never want to test, and just tell you to get rest, so I hope these front line Drs are being told to take people seriously and not do their usual nothing when someone is ill. Last year I had a fever, congestion, cough etc for 3 months and I went after 2 weeks then after a month and then 3 months, each time telling them that I had a prolonged fever, cough, lung congestion and pains, and they kept saying it is probably viral go home and rest and refused to give me antibiotics, and the 3rd time after 3 months of hell, a got an urgent care Dr who agreed to try an antibiotic and in 2 days my symptoms cleared and in a week I was all better. I hope that with this new and dangerous flu that these front line Drs take people's concerns more seriously than the ones I have run into did.

Avoid all non-essential trips to Mexico for how long?

I am a college student in central Texas, and with the threat of swine flu inching closer I take offense to people saying that the threat is overblown. Live in a border state, and then tell me you aren't scared.

This comment is to Jan Kesler above- you watch too much TV

what about the fruits and vegtables that are brought in from Mexico? Will this continue? should we be careful instead of sorry later?

Because of this outbreak, do you think future flu vaccines will incorporate protection from different strains of swine and bird flu, in addition to human flu?

Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington

This is ridiculous, people die of the Flu everyday, especially in poverty stricken countries where medical technology and living conditions lack the funds to provide for the community. By putting the word "Swine" in front of it and over hyping the situation, many people are needlessly panicking. If medical personal call for it to be treated as any other Flu that has passed, why create so much panic and stress for others?

Will the U.S. consider the thermal screening process at our airports such as I witnessed in Singapore during the avian crisis?

It sounds like this flu was created in a lab–2 parts swine to 1 part bird to 1 part human. Could something this complex have mutated naturally? Have scientists started developing a vaccine for this new flu? Can you contract it by eating infected pork? Hopefully these questions will be discussed on tonight's show.

So this swine flu....how long do you think it will last for? theres a concert im going to pretty soon and im just wondering if i should go or not?...

My husband and I have a trip booked to go to a Resort on the Baha Pennisula. We are going to Cabo San Lucas on May 24th thru May 29th. What should we do? Can we go to that part of Mexico? Should we cancel? should we take Tamiflu as a preventative? We have alot of money tied up in this trip? We have the trip insurance but the real question is , Will we get all of our money back?

Surrendering to paranoia is way too easy. Worry can make you just as sick as any flu. If we took every single precaution under the sun, we'd never leave our houses, touch anything IN our own houses, or breathe. I'm already on antivirals for a blood condition; I don't drink, smoke or toke. I try to eat right, drink lots of water, get plenty of rest, try not to stress, and look at this thing philosophically: If it gets me, it gets me. I'm not going to let the fear of illness stop my everyday living.

Is being taken care with the people who are arriving at airports, this moment?

In 15 days I will be traveling to the US. Do I need to take some specific care?
Do the immigration authorities require something more of the tourists?

I understand that covering your cough and washing your hands are good preventative measures in spreading the H1N1 virus but shouldn't we be more proactive in distributing gloves and masks to high traffic areas such as our airport and seaports?

how long does this virus stay on a surface before its not and issue anymore? such as money. head sets credit cards. ect. can you get it from eating foods?

If there are more confirmed cases in the US than in Mexico at this point, then why is everyone still so panicked about Mexico?

too coincindental ..too close to each other to not question whther or not someone is manipulating deaths and diseases under the goverment .

Army investigators are close to closing a probe into the disappearance of deadly pathogens at Fort Detrick's infectious disease laboratory in Frederick and have found no evidence yet of criminal misconduct, the Army's Criminal Investigation Command said yesterday.

like michael says April 28th, 2009 2:35 pm ET

It sounds like this flu was created in a lab–2 parts swine to 1 part bird to 1 part human. Could something this complex have mutated naturally? Have scientists started developing a vaccine for this new flu? Can you contract it by eating infected pork? Hopefully these questions will be discussed on tonight’s show. I question whether someone in our own goverment is responsible secretly behind all this remmeber the tsunami in 2007 when all of a sudden there was a nuclear missle missing then all of a sudden a tsunami sounds too fishy i smell a DIRTY RAT

Anderson This might be a great time to purchase as much Hoffman La Roche stock (producers of Tamiflu) since the WHO has stated that the United States will stockpile for possible mass distribution. A little history about Hoffman La Roche, they also produced L-Dopa, the miracle drug of the 60's for treatment of Parkinson's disease. I have friends that were able to pay off their new homes, student loans, etc after six months. Just a thought

Most years we have a new strain of flu – or a flu that has mutated somewhat from the flu the year before. Flu mutates rapidly so it is hardly likely this flu came from a lab or a bio-terrorism attack. Its just a naturally occurring disease. Medical scientists have said for years that we were due for another flu pandemic and that because of how mobile society was now as compared to the early 1900s it would spread faster and probably with more people. If it makes you feel safer to wear a mask and surgical gloves then go ahead and do it; don't wait for the government to mandate it. Use good common sense about sneezing, coughing, and going out in crowds and in all likelihood you will be all right.

Is it true that the vaccine that is given out, in Mexico and here in the U.S.A does nothing, because that vaccine is for the human flu virus?

I have family in Mexico and they tell me that they are informed that the most danger is here in the U.S.A and not Mexico, what gives?

This flu does not come for swine. It was first found on a pig farm pepole. So it is air born from person to person as any other flu.

Rest and get a lot of fuilds going.is all i am going to do if i get it.

My husband and I are aboard the Westerdam, Holland America Line, off of Mexico. We were told we are not landing in Mexico as planned, but instead will be floating until the end of the cruise occurs, which is in 5 days! Please alert the United States State dept. as we would like to arrive in San Diego as soon as possible! We are being kept captive! We want to return to the United States as soon as possible! Please Help!

How to tell if we are with the swine flu or a common flu?

Only tests can confirm what type of flu? What are these tests?

I don't hear anyone making fun of Michael Jackson for wearing a face mask now!

Luckily I do not have to go out in the public for several days if I so choose. I have 3 people a week come into my office and i wipe down door knobs and everything they touch. No health ins. and I stay healthy. I will wear my gloves and mask if I have to go out where other people are. I do not know who has been where and none of you do eithger . So protect yourself and take pre-cautionary methods. Everyone is at risk and there are no exceptions. 150 deaths in Mexico and probably some here in States they are not reporting.

The CDC has published some of the genomic sequences of the recent swine flu cases on our national database. I found it interesting that one of the earliest cases appeared March 30th, 2009 in California. Why didn't we hear anything about a potential threat or outbreak for nearly a month? I'm sure Mexico has known about this problem for more than a month, but no warnings were given to our general public. Is this another example of greed for tourism dollars over-stepping ethical responsibilities?

Once a person becomes infected with swine flu, and hopefully recover, does the body then produce antibodies against getting reinfected? Have there been any reported cases of someone getting the swine flu more than once?

If I were some of the folks on this blog, commenting that they have a trip to Mexico planned, I would cancel the trip or at least postpone it until the "coast is clear".

Please everyone get plenty of rest, keep yourself hydrated (water), and wash your hands, even change your clothes when you come home from being in public.

An ounce of prevention.......

Is there a food that helps to increase immunity and help in the fight against swine flu?

When there was an outbreak of Dengue Fever (in Brazil) was advised to eat yams for to fortify the immune system.

Why do we not hear anything about the students and families in the NY school being quaranteed? How we could we expect it not to spread rapidly if they do not quatanteen those that are infected?

What about all the produce coming in from Mexico?

Since this is a relatively new virus strain and a definite treatment or vaccine for it is not yet defined is it safe for people to risk there health depending on the effectiveness of homeopathic or herbal remedies?

Hi, first of all thank you so much for all of you coverage on this subject. You are educating millions and putting most our minds to rest. I have a question which i have not seen any one pose as of yet and thought I would ask.

If all of the deaths are in Mexico, and first spread from pigs to humans and this is an anomaly that it is being transmitted from person to person. Could it be that those that first got sick would have been the ones that would have been in contact with pigs resulting in being the sickest and then maybe somehow mutated and less severe once transferred from human to human??

I have worked in pharmacy for many years and am recently alarmed to have just read that this years "seasonal" influenza is Tamilflu-resistant. Has anyone discussed this potential with swine influenza and the importance of completing antiviral therapy even if a loved one starts to have symptoms.

There might be a simple explanation for the discrepancy in the mortality of swine flue cases in Mexico and in United States. As a virus spreads in the body of a patient and then into a population, it’s genetic make up and character changes. In some parts of the leading edges of the spreading viral population it may become more virulent and in other it may become less virulent. Now it is possible that the person who happened to have brought the virus to the United States came into contact with relatively benign strain of virus in Mexico City. Therefore all the people that he infects in United States will have the same benign strain. Of course, as the disease spreads here it may become more or less virulent.

my family and i just returned from Puerto Vallarta on april 25. we had no idea this was going on until we returned to the states going thru customs. and only signs were posted.

can a person take the tamiflu to be preventative ? would this be a smart idea for persons that are just returning from Mexico ?

What about buying products from Mexico such as produce or even packaged products? Can the germs survive?

What is the increased risk of being infected by swine flu if you travel by air within the US this week?

I've heard that the Swine Flu will continue to mutate as it spreads. Does this mean someone who has had the Swine Flu could actually get it again?

My question is my mother was in a car accident and has no spleen. Thus she is at risk for getting sick very easily because of an altered immune system. My question is she is to travel by air to Canada(Toronto) next Friday for a visit. What are your recommendations on this issue? She is allergic to eggs and can not get the flu vaccine. I don't know what the Tamiflu and other medications consist of. I would greatly appreciate your input on this issue. Thank you.

At this current rate of infection , how long until the entire United States has at least one case of confirmed "Swine Flu" infection ?

Washing your hands frequently will reduce the spread of this virus so, does it make a difference if it is anti-bacterial soap or plain old-fashioned soap?

HOW OFTEN DOES THE MASK COVERING THE NOSE AND MOUTH NEED TO BE CHANGED?

I am considered immuno-deficient since I have no spleen. Is there anything 'extra' I should do to protect myself from swine flu?

My husband and I are planning to go to Cancun in about 5 weeks, what part of mexico is this flu in, and will it possibly be safe to travel around the end of May?

Hello Mr. Cooper, I have a question. This morning I was watching CNN, and I heard that about four years ago they found a person in Virginia with the same type of virus tatis coming from Mexico, and about two years later there was another case reported with the same type of virus in Texas. So why only concentrate on this specific boy in Veracruz, when there were cases prior to this boy? Please respond.

How many different strains of flu are going around right now?

Just wondering about the people who are ill, but who don't have confirmed cases of the swine flu.

Reducing the transmission of the swine flu virus is of paramount concern. Would it make more sense to wear latex gloves to prevent transmission instead of face masks? It seems like gloves would serve as a reminder to wash hands, and help individuals to avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth, etc. How effective would this be?

Can the body's immune system build a protective barrier if someone has had swine flu in the past? We travelled to Mexico in February, and when we returned we were VERY ill. We are wondering (if we had Swine Flu) if we are safer now.
Thanks for any information you can give us.

Do common dust masks as found in a local hardware store protect for flu contamination or is a surgical grade mask required?

We have planned a trip to Cancun on the 7th of May for our 10th wedding anniversary. Are there any major outbreaks in that area? All I am hearing is Mexico City

We have just been told that ALL the schools in New Braunfels, Texas will be closed until May 11th!!! What is the CDC not telling us regarding the swine flu? How concerned should we be?

I am heading to Cancun in the morning. My entire family and I have already started taking Tamiflu. Will this help prevent us from contracting the swine flu?

Should all US counties enforce students in public schools to wear masks so the disease won't spread ?

Hi I am ten and how did the swin flu begain and what do you think the effect wil be I am scared

what about the animals,like the dogs and cats. Have any there been any reports of them getting it?

Wht I don't understand is why is this swine flu more dangerous or deadly than the regular flu?

Me and family planning to travel to Europe early next week on a tour for 15 days. As of today, should we cancel or postpone our trip to later date ? Am confused and worried. If tour agent still persist flying but we are afraid to travel due to Swine Flu. Anyhow, we bought travel insurance. What can I do to get refund of the tickets ?

Can the Swine Flu be passed through water? And, if I get a regular flu shot, will I be immune to Swine?

What is the tests that health officials are being used to diagnose if it is the swine flu vs common flu?

I am worried about my graduate students trip to Brazil in June for a month with a university group . Should I be concerned??? Worried mother syndrome......Maybe Brazil wil not let them in? Once there
how is the health system in Brazil set up to handle visitors that might
be ill once there???? Is it possible by then this might be even more
dangerous???? TO me if New Zealand has cases I could see this being global in all countries within days.. Drug companies are not set up for this kind of emergency. Is there a good source for updates for
travelers going international in the next couple of weeks?????

Answer to all questions:

We're all gonna die.

could the strain of swine flu be a form of bio-terrorism?

I believe my family has had this over the last couple of weeks, as well as coworkers and their families. We all have had the described symptoms. My question is:

If we have had it can we get it again?
What if it mutates, can we get it again then?

We have only known about this virus being in our country for a little over 90 hours...

That's just like Americans to lull ourselves into believing that the virus is a "milder" strain, than what Mexico is seeing. The first case in Mexico was diagnosed in March. On Friday they were claiming that 60 people had died of it In Mexico City. Today, that number is 150.

When the first young healthy victim dies in this country, sheer panic will ensue, and reality will set in.

since virus is caused by swine, can we through the consumption of the meat or not, because we dont even how it get in to human yet,

Could our mail could spread the virus?

Sixty-four cases of swine flu is not an epidemic. You sound like you are reporting the black death. Why don't you report this story once an hour instead of every ten minutes.

The experts keep insisting that you can't get the swine flu from eating pork. What about handling raw pork?

We are seeing how severe the Swine Flu is in America and Mexico. What are the statistics and situations in the other countries being effected?

I heard that some people sleep with their pets, (i.e. chickens, pigs, other farm yard animals), but not sexually. Could the virus be transmitted by constant close proximity on an ongoing regular basis between these humans and their animals?

In addition, because of so much mutation going on now, can the viral barriers be broken down by confusion in recognizing the host?

is there any medicine we can take to prevent swine flu?

Could the fact that Mexico City is at a high elevation, about 8000 feet where there is less oxygen contribute to the more severe forms of the swine flu?

I have been following with the Swine flu news since it began reporting. From the coverage so far, it only talks about the flu travels by air and touch. My question is this, what about mosquitos? Can they carry the virus and pass on to humans? Is there away to protect us from getting the virus by mosquitos? What about animals such as our pets (dogs and cats) or other animals? I hope CNN can cover or answer my questions, and let the public to know the facts and be aware of it.

Thanks!

If i were to contract swine flue would my cats be at risk to get sick from me?

My family and I just got back from a trip to Cancun yesterday and we are wondering how long this virus can manifest in your body if you are infected?

Thanks

I would like to know how many people were effected in Mexico?

Would you advise a family that just returned from Cancun to stay home and not go back to work for a week. Thanks!

how safe is airplane air to breath if traveling with say two or three people sheding the virus during a four hour plane ride?

I am a nurse and no one yet has mentioned the newest technique to cough into your inner elbow by bending your arm up to keep the germs from spreading to your hands. Basically, don't cough into your hands cough into your inner elbow. This is the proper way to protect the hands and reduce the spread and transmission of the germs. Thank you and please mention this on your show. Keep up the good work.

I get the flu shot once a year! I can't recall the last time I had a cold.

Are those dying from the swine flu, dying from the swine flu virus alone; or are some also dying of complications having been weakened by the flu?

I see many people on t.v. with masks on does that mean this virus can go airborne? Or are they just putting them on for fun?

I think the government should quaranteen EVERYONE to their homes for 8-10 days that way everyone who has it is better, and everyone that is contageous has gotten it and can't pass it to others. Use some of that government stimulus to pay our wages for a week. Problem solved.

Why aren't vacation hotspots (Tahoe, Disney, South Padre Island) infected if Mexicans just visited these places in large numbers after the Spring Break?

Hospital care in hospitals in Mexico is quite different. Members of the sick person's family are supposed to stay with then to change bedding, fix and swerve meals – yes even clean the room. This allows the spread from an infected person to the untrained family helpers most of whom come down in the infection. It is no wonder that the infection is spreading the and is more severe. There is a much lower level of trained health care personnel the per 100 patients in Mexico than there are in the US>

Should there be any concerns about swin flu comming into the states from our mail and if not, how contagious is the swine flu.

I think I have and idea of why this flu has been killing in Mexico only. I lived there as a child and one thing that is very different here from there is that you can buy antibiotics at the pharmacy without prescription... needless to say... people overmedicate themselves... hasn't anyone been sick before and had to change antibiotics several times until you find one that works?... well, if your body is to use to the ones they normally work... what will work?...

Did you know that there are now 2 reported cases of Influenza in Costa Rica? It is the first country in Central America to report it.

Interestingly, any case of swine flu has been reported in arab countries like Iraq, Iran, Pakista, Afghanistan, Somalia,...these middle east arab countries, I mean.......they must be immune from the swine flu, huh? Lets ask them for help for prevention, prophylaxis, management, treatment.

do you think that. the boy that contracked it first wouldnt die!..but no every body else is.. fallen to the flu.so the boy must havae some immuinity.... there could be something in his d.n.a that is subsiding the illness???!!??.. could there be a cure in his blood.. that might stop the imfamous flu be for it's to late..?

the gov. should of taken more action from the past swine flu. they should of been one step ahead cus now look its back again and there is no cure for it really. it shows how much our gov. really cares about the people and there lives. even our global warming it only toke till now to realize that we could be in real danger from this.

Ok..so they are 64 confirmed cases in new york. Is it time for new yorkers to walk around with facemask now? Are you guys going to tell us it's time to put it on or are we waiting for something?

I know paper masks do not work. There are sevaral levels of professional masks ($35). I know magenta colored filters do the best at filtering. What is the level required for flus and is it the same for swine as the avian? How long will each filter last...How many filters does one need for a week of protection? What wil be the sign the filter needs changing, blockage and unable to pass air? This information is espicially needed for care givers.

How is the virus absorbed, injestion? skin absorbsion? Inhaleation? all of the above? You might want to show the public how to fit/test a professional mask.

i don't know why people that are treated midly for this virus can't have the vaccination. they should be treated the same just as if other people have it way worse. they should make more vaccinations and not care how much its going to cost. everyone in this world is all about money. wen is that going to end. when are we going to look at the important picture here which is human life and thats worth saving. money is nothing its just paper. the gov. can easily just make more anyways whats the big deal.

so which is it the swine flu came from pigs or not. cause i keep hearing it is and then its not.

with the out break going on right now i was wondering what is the rate of infection and if it isn't kept under control how long tell its a full out out brake and what is the expected death toll

The reason Mexicans are dying is because the infected pesrsons
don't go to the doctor or hospital until they feel very sick. In Mexico it
is very common to go to a pharmacy to get a diagnosis before going to the doctor when you don't feel well, I don't know if it's because at the pharmacy you don't pay for the visit you just pay for the medicine.

why is it that if the boy was the first to get the swine flue and did not pass away why is it that so many others did

ARE THERE ANY CURES FOR THE SWINE FLU?WHAT ARE THEY?

I am very confused. The swine flu, appears to have spread to so many different countries. In my thinking, it appears to also be airborne, how else did all of this spread so quickly??
Is it true that this can be contained, and released into the air, or is it just a physical.How else did everyone so very quickly all of the sudden have all this?
Do masks work, or is it a hinderance, to the swine flu.?
One more question, (please) if you have it and do not go to work, and your boss fires you because of not showing up, what can you do? After all, is it not requested by the CDC to stay at home if ailing?

Thnak you so much,
Respectfully,
Bernadette

Andersons, the Doctors said that we should put on mask and we are not supposed to touch our nose, face mouch,so what about other part of our body like, stomach, legs hands, and back

I got a call from my 6 year olds school saying a child was confirmed to have the schwinn flu. the department of health is working with the school to control this threat to them. Should i keep my child out until its safe and no threats are there? We are in Visalia Cali.

My wife is on a cruise with all her sisters to Puero Vallarta, are they being advised of the swine flu outbreak and being told of the risk of going onshore. She is on the Mariner of the Seas thru Royal Carribean.

Could those in the US be affected differently, by the Swine Flu, due to having had childhood immunizations?

The reason I think the swine flu virus is killing people in Mexico City is because of the high altitude. The young boy in Veracruz was lucky because the virus was not as strong as it is now, although the place is 2460 m above sea level. Those affected by the virus in NY are OK because the city is only 10 m above sea level, and perhaps those in California and Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma are also doing well because of the low altitude. I have not heard which city in California, but it must be somewhere where the altitude is not high. The virus probably likes to thrive in 'thin air'. So many floods ended up with dead animals propagating disease in the Gulf of Mexico. Take it from here.

Is anyone concerned that President Obama was recently in Mexico. Is he at risk of having contracted the Swine flu virus while there?

Should we start wearing protective masks in New York City since there is reports that hundreds of students are most probably affected in this area and we have seen a death in the US from swine flu.

We are to be vacationing in Cozumel during the first week in June. Has the swine flu been reported there? Don't know if we should cancel.