Good evening Anderson and everyone

Hiya Anderson, Erica, my smartees..Eduardo (Ed Henry) & V-money(Ali Velshi)..

This swine flu is rapidly spreading..I think panic is setting in..we have a lot of ppl crossing the border..is there a plan to close the border?

Good Evening, Anderson!

Hi, 360 team
Hi, friends and bloggers

Now we are talking about H1N1?

Hellooo Anderson, Erica, David G, and my friend twitter/Facebook bloggers!!! Thanks God It's Friday night.

Can't wait forward this weekend!

Here is from my hometown, it is possible that we have many school closed this list, It is this message from State Health Department have many closed right now Here are:

Five school closures also have been announced so far due to swine flu:

- Madrona K-8 school in Seattle (through May 7)

- Odyssey Elementary school in Mukilteo (on Friday)

- Woodmont Elementary in Federal Way (through May 11)

- Aki Kurose Middle School (through May 7)

- Stevens Elementary School (through May 7)

Good evening Anderson, Erica, David G., Dr.Sanjay, AC360 team, and all bloggers.

Swine flu is still going strong, still scary.

I am looking forward to the show tonight.

My Question:

Please explain how the Swine Flu is any different from annual flus we see each year. Why all the precautions now – and not for common flus that people are dying from daily.

???

Anderson,
13,000 students in my county can possibly loose the accreditation of their schools in 30 days, due to our county's board of education being corrupt. There is racism, threats, lies, etc etc. going on here in Burke County NC, and the citizens can not get help from any politician, including the governor! HELP US GET SOME AWARENESS AD RESOLVE.

Is there any evidence yet this Version of H1N1 is a man-made hybrid because it seems so unusual to see all 3 strains (human, porcine and avian) from 4 continental sources all in one germ. Could there have been an accidental lab leak?

Hello Anderson. Although Biden manages to have foot-in-mouth disease way too often, in this case he was peaking thruth. I'm flying tomorrow and again Monday and I'm not happy about it.

Good Evening Anderson, Erica, Team 360 (inclucing Jack) and Fellow Bloggers –

Hope no one coughed on you today!!

Another busy night in the news - curious what Sanjay has to say about H1N1 virus –

Good Evening Anderson and Erica! Looks like a great show tonight!

love Biden's gaff been waiting all year for one...

Good evening everybody! Swine flu on the agenda continues.

Greetings all!

Those red states, the confirmed cases of swine flu, that keep adding up is alarming.

Why highlight the entire state? Why not just the city?
And Kentucky has a confirmed case, except the girl (who just got back from Mexico) went to Georgia and THEN started feeling sick. And KY wanted to keep it quiet, but GA immediately put it out there that it WASN'T a "real" Georgia case.

Yup, there we are on the map. 2 confirmed cases in Colorado announced today.

I just found out today that there are two possible cases of H1N1 here in Spokane. Too close for comfort here

Good and a health evening everyone!

Good evening Anderson et al (& Erica, David G. Dr. Gupta)Terrific coverage this week!

Good evening fellow bloggers! Really great commentary & questions & stories so far this week!

Looking forward to tonight's coverage & blog (as always)

It will be great when this flu thing fizzles. If I don't get sick from the actual swine flu, the media coverage of it is enough to kill me.

There are only 257 confirmed cases worldwide. Let's not panic. The chances of any of you contracting it are very small.

@heather, don't be worried about the flu in Spokane.... we're strong people in eastern washington!

Fort Worth schools are closed until May 11.

Biden made another gaff on The Today Show this morning. God, you can't go 2 weeks without him having a gaff!

H1V1 or Swine Flu?

"Swine Flu" is still part of the internet address for the WHO.

And "Swine Flu" is still part of the "breaking news" of AC360

Biden made perfect sense. Stay out of crowds. What is the fuss about?

What are the chances the virus will mutate again before the Fall/Winter flu season and cause a bigger concern? Is that the focus now along with containment of course?

Sounds like this is no more fatal than regular flu. Why are we acting like it's the bubonic plague.

What we need is the diagnoses of the cases the most precocious possible, for it can to enter a specific medication and not increase the number of deaths.

Hi Anderson.

Mike, Syracuse, NY, I like the way the Obama administration has to translate everything Biden says as though he isn't speaking English.

I'm following Joe Biden's advice. Can't be too careful.

Poor Joe, he does try

@Jasmine, I agree with you on that one but Im going to EWU and I know a bunch of people who went to Mexco this last break!

Happy Jueves everyone :]

Are there any antibotics that can help prevent someone from having the swine flu?

H1N1 appears to be treatable in the US, I don't know why people are in such a panic. I agree with POTUS, we need to do our part, watch our hands, stay home if we have the flu, but there's no reason to panic.

How's speedy the spread is - if one cough in an airline and transmitted to everyone?

goodevening all. are all of the new cases of swine flu only in mexico?

hey sanjay! great to see you again! hello tweeps/FBers, erica, randi, eduarrdo and Ali!

These subway scenes remind me of Randi's report of how the virus spreads when you sneeze. That image still make me feel...ewww...

I hope no cases of Swine Flu break out here in Florida.

Are my dogs safe??

Some interesting topics ahead. And all of them somewhat disturbing if you ask me...

I am surprised to date, I have not heard anyone in the media mention the high cost of the Tamiflu medication. If there is any way to prevent further spread of the swine flu, perhaps the Tamiflu medication be made more affortable. I know that it's about $90 to $100 for a Tamiflu pack? Some have to make choice between food and medication?

If you get the mild form of H1N1, and then recover from it, are you then immune from it in the future?

Greetings to All! I hope everyone and all loved ones, are feeling well.This is scary stuff!

Jo Ann, That is true, they are always having to correct what Biden says.

@Anderson,

"pretty safe" might be a stretch. As another native New Yorker, I'd say they're "O.K."

Diana, imagine the impact on the travel industry and hotel workers if there is an unnecessary "no fly" rule put our by Biden!

Good evening Anderson, Erica, everyone. Well maybe good that the virus lacks that amino acid because it's kind of widespread already in the US, at least moving in that direction.

Good that last quote from that young woman. Easy to forget how a flu can make someone suffer.

A lot of theories, Dr. Del Rio fires them off, but mainly I think people in Mexico were taken completely by surprise. Double hit of two flus though, with the H1N1 coming at the end of flu season, i think it's the combination of the surprise and a second flu coming in the middle of spring.

Good to hear a bit of good news, cases going down, fatalities going down.

Question for Sanjay Gupta and the other doctor from Atlanta. What about carrying and using the little bottles of hand disinfectants? Those disinfectant dispensers are all over hospitals now. Wouldn't that help for people who have to go on subways and in other public places? Let us all know.

Does Joe Biden know something we don't? Or is he just overly cautious?

My wife is 6 weeks pregnant and we are about to fly. How much should we be worried for her, the future baby, and the papa to-be?

I just got over a flu. I volunteer, and would like to know if I am now immune – but like most, I wasnt tested, I stayed home so as not to infect others. Should I just assume I have immunity?

I work in a school in California where there are many students that went to Mexico during the spring break two weeks ago..what is my risk in reference to the incubation period with this flu?

I'm not sure if anybody has asked this question or answered it but if you are feeling ill should you see a doctor immediatly? Or if there is a chance that you may have the swine flu can you just recover at home? I'm not sick but just curious.

How do you notify the state if someone has this flu? How do they keep track? Is there a hotline to call and inform them of the symtoms?
I'm sure most people will not go to the hospital or dont have the insurance money to go the Dr????

We certainly may not travel in fear.

@Jo Ann, North Royalton, Ohio I like the way the Obama administration has to translate everything Biden says as though he isn’t speaking English.

He would seem to be the only one who is. Hopefully this isn't a 'man caused disaster' that will result in another 'overseas continguency operation'.

If this strain of H1N1A makes it into Indonesia, Vietnam or a country which has had H5N1 cases/deaths, would it be possible for the H1N1A strain to become stronger, thus more virulent?

Is H1N1 airborne, or you're not sure about this yet?

you only talk about Mexico City, what about the rest of Mexico. are there any other parts of Mexico that are having out breaks?

Air quality in aircraft creates health risks and this was said well before the swine flu.

The low humidity and cold temperature triggers the breathing problems.

The low temperature combined with low relative humidity decreases the immunity.

Good evening Anderson. I guess Joe Biden's honesty isn't always the best policy!

Did I understand that wearing a face mask will help prevent catching this flu?

If you contract this flu while the strain in the United States seems to be milder than in Mexico, will that give you an immunity to the flu if it becomes a more serious strain in the United States?

Maybe if you have no urgent travel-then better stay home! -specially during theses times where risk is huge in contacting the disease!

I'm normally pretty healthy, but right now I have a headache, fever, upset stomach, runny nose, and my lungs have fluid in them. (It's a little uncomfortable to breathe.) How do I know when it's time to go to the doctor?

Surely Biden knows more than we do. I heard you Mr. VP and I'm not flying

They have closed 5 schools in Chicago, 1 in the city and 4 southwest. None are close to me.

Why are we not hearing about flu cases in the Southern Hemisphere? Although the land mass south of the 30th parallel is much less than north of 30, it is now Fall going into Winter. Prime flu season.

Is there flu cases, or concern about swine flu cases in places like Brazil, Argentina, South Africa or Australia which are now entering the prime of the flu season?

The reports about swine flu are disturbing, but I still haven't quite reached the *panic* stage yet – it's just made me a little more conscientious about germs and keeping my hands as clean as possible.

Joe, don't upset the people. Don't you have some Vice President stuff to do?

Hi Anderson,

Flu outbreaks in the past have been known to be fairly mild in the spring, decrease in prevalence over the summer, but then reemerge much stronger the following fall. Are there any theories about this H1N1 virus reemerging, and will there be a vaccination program to prevent it?

I would like to ask Dr. Sanjay this... is it likely that "cytokine storm" is the reason for so many of the deaths in Mexico being in young adults? and if so shouldn't we be focusing efforts to come up with a drug to stop this deadly phenomenon?

We're leaving on a long planned trip to Spain next week. Would you advise taking Tamiflu or some similar preparation prophylactically before we leave? Thank you.

hi, everyone. fear not, randi lets coop take the plane... sometimes

Flu virus mutate rapidly. Why isn't anyone talking about this?

lol – Erica says she's normally in the baggage hole – cute

If H1N1 hits a country where Avian influenza is active, could Avian "learn" from H1N1 how to transmit from human to human? Could the 2 viruses create a new superbug?

Dr. Gupta traveled to the area of the first case of swine flu in Mexico. Locals commented on a local US Industrial Pig Farming operation. Has this played a role in this epidemic?

Anderson Cooper,

Do you follow this procedure in your travels?

How virulent is this flu, is it known how many deaths will occur per 1000 infected?

I am confused about why this is such a high health alert when more people than the 176 deaths in Mexico die each year as a result of the flu. Are the numbers in Mexico correct? Also what is the incubation period for this flu ?

Hi Anderson, My two sons were sick about a month ago. They are 7 and 4. I have never seen them this sick before. they both had high fever for over a week straight and OTC medication did little to break the fevers. Is it possible that the CDC could have gotten the timeframe wrong?

could H1N1 have been around much sooner than currently being reported?

My wife has COPD with lung cancer and she's doing chemo. We live at 5000 ft elevation. What extra precautions should she take?

How generous of her, Erica! haha

Much is being made about washing your hands often. However, if a facial typr soap, nongermicidal is used, is this effective?

Rahm Emanuel better be one of the sexiest! Goodness, that man.

Gives me the vapors!

What about cruise travel? Even though ships are not sailing into Mexico, is being on a cruise ship safe given the fact that there are often outbreaks of Norovirus on ships?

Of the confirmed cases, has information been released on the cause of death ? I am interested in understanding more about the sequence of organ and /or body system failure.

There is some confusion about Tami-flu. Is it over-the-counter medicine or does it have to be prescribed by your doctor?

As reported on Action 4 News at 5 and 6 on 4/30. Cameron County Texas has over 220 possible cases of Swine Flu that they are currently awaiting conformation from the state and CDC.
And yet the Federal government does not believe that closing the borders is necessary?

H1N1A = root cause of this sudden 'near pandemic scenario'!

I think this will not invade Asia specially the Phils as we have the lots of sunshine here! Thanks God!

Could the discrepancy in the degree of illness between Mx. and the US be because one of the four strains making up this virus was in this year's flu vaccine and fewer people got the shot in Mx?

Is this really a 'mild' form? Isn't it just a matter of time before we see severe syptoms here in the US? What is the average duration of the illness? Are the deaths in Mexico from flu or pneumonia?

It is interesting that now handrails,turnstills ,the use of hand sanitizers are being used,,why not "all the time"? not just now .germs are everywhere all the time....Bosses make their staff come to work sick or not..and we are the ones who are being served up a nice helping of what ever they might have...the crisis will blow over and all will go back ...to slack.................

Hi everyone,

I have a flu-related question. What are people's thoughts about cruise ships??? I have a cruise booked in a week. With everyone flying in from different destinations and travelling through all those airports and on so many different flights and then spending a week together on a ship....don't you think there is a high risk for contracting the flu??? It would seem so to me. I haven't heard anyone talk about cruises yet, so I thought I'd see what you think or have heard.

Thanks!

Erica, you crack me up.

I've heard and read that antibacterial soaps kill good bacteria as well as the bad stuff and our resistance to germs decreases. Are antibacterial soaps more or less effective than just regular soap?

Ohhh Ms. California, she's more popular than the crowned Miss USA! Love this girl!

I believe the report which says that flying in a plane full of swine flu viruses is relatively safe. However, I think I'd be a little reluctant to board such a craft unless I absolutely had to. Regardless of the air filtration facts, the whole thing seems so .. enclosed.

Poor Joe.....he did it again.

BUT, you have to wonder how much a pandemic will effect any economy if and when it finally happens. Will "the people" really be encouraged to "stay home" if it going adversely affect an already slow economy.

Just a thought.

Follow up question... Given the suspeceted low moratlity rate of this strain might it be better to get this virus now rather than later should a hybrid strain form in someone infected with both a typical seasonal flu and this new "swine flu"? Wouldn't someone exposed now have immunity to a potential future new strain?

DR.. Gupta can you get the swine flu from handling raw infected pork? i dont trust the usdas word.

swine flu is like any other flu except with this one you have to be more careful about
right?
sure
i don't see why people are freaking out, sure its contagious . but really

Joe Biden was right. All it takes is one person coughing and hacking all over the place for a number of people to get sick.

You know this nitpicking of what the VP said or rather tried to say is the reason a lot of us give the media low grades on their coverage. If it is so safe for you to be exposed to a sick person on a plane why when a person showing symptoms arrived in NC from Mexico they were immediately tested and other passengers warned of possible exposure. To make this a whole story is just ridiculous. The airlines in my opinion are more interested in making money than worrying about passengers health.

I am 8 months pregnant and live in the Bay Area. I usually take public transportation to get to work. Is this not a good idea right now?

You are reporting all the documented, confirmed cases of swine flu. What about those who are sick, and won't or don't go to the doctor? What is the estimate on those cases? Surely, this must be accounted for in the calculations? Any estimated statistics?

Anderson and team, thank you so much for your great reports on swine flu.

I have a question please...I am supposed to leave for Disney World on Sunday, I've become very nervous about going and am thinking of cancelling my trip. Am I over reacting? Please say yes!

Anderson & Doc's:

Theory?... Is this thing appearing to be weakening in human-to-human
transmission?... Seems like it.
Other than the 2 yr old toddler in Texas - any other fatalities reported in countries other than Mex?....

Just saw your piece on the comments by VP Biden regarding flying....however, wasn't there recently an incident with a person that flew with a diagnosis of tuberculosis? Isn't there a similar mode of transmission of disease?

Hello and good evening everyone...

2 cases of swine flu at University of IL in Chicago Hospital...

Can you clarify the difference in symptoms between the flu, and say allergies and the common cold. If you don't have a fever, chills, body aches, and a cough, do you have the flu?

@ Erica Hill

The situation of the person getting hours and hours in a plane, with that cold air, it was unpleasant and uncomfortable even before the news of Randi Kaye.

Now it disturbing ... lol ...

Is it possible to have a slight case of H1N1? Ive had the same cold for two weeks and Im just now getting over it.

Good Evening all AC 360 fans

Alabama has been hit in Huntsville with SF with school closings for at least 7 days. If we have nothing to worry about while is the level been raised to a 4

you know, once people get this nasty bug and start dying in large numbers, everybody will be complaining.."why didnt they tell us", well listen , you take a risk and its all yours dont blame anyone else, if you just cant miss that flight or concert.

Why is there not anything about the five suspected cases in utah? they've even closed down schools over here but there's no mention of it on cnn.

Why use the word 'bankruptcy'?-which is synonymous to closing shop! -- This is sad on the manufacturing sector!

Ali thank you for explaining what this Chrysler Bankruptcy means and how it works. A lot of people see doom and gloom when they hear bankruptcy.

Hello Anderson
and Erica

This flu is scary stuff riding on subway or flying see i knew flying was bad not only for plane crashes but now flu risk and germs .

@Jean Meske – I've been wondering the same thing. I've been asking (for the last couple days) about what the chances are that the virus will mutate again and become a bigger concern. How likely is it that mutation will happen? And how quickly can that happen?

What is the best website to find what states and what cities the swine flu has reached? All the maps I can find don't show that there is an outbreak in Washington State. But, a few minutes ago you showed a map that said that there is a confirmed case in Washington. Where is the case in Washington? Is it near Seattle or Spokane?

I'm a student in New York about to graduate, and my parents are scared to come to my graduation now for fear of swine flu in the city. How can I assure them that everything will be ok?

Seems this swine flu is more confusing by the minute.

What a wonderful, diversified bunch of questions.

Just wondering why the death rate from Swine flu is so high in Mexico compared to the US. Are all the strains genetically same around the world or different?

They have been telling people to stay home and recover just like with the normal flu if possible, but isn't it important to document as many cases of H1N1 as possible, even if the case isn't severe, so that they have a better idea of just how many people have actually contracted it?

Is H1N1 an airbone virus? Can it suspend in air?

Hi ac360/ is vitamin C or any other vitamin will help us to prevent and how many dose we need to take as parents , teen or kids.
Thanks Farah from San Diego

Anderson Cooper and Ali Velshi,

The Chrysler bankruptcy highlights how difficult it is for General Motors finish its own agreements of restructuring with its shareholders and avoid the same fate as your competitor?

My sister in law just got here from Mexico. Her daughter has a runny nose and is sneezing. Should we worry or wait to get checked up first before we start to panic?

welcome everyone.. thanks for your questions... we're trying to get as many of them answered as we can.. i appreciate you taking the time to chat with us tonite.

The Idea that you you don't have a higher chance of getting sick on a plane is just dumb! Would you rather have a person sneeze in you face from 1 foot away on an airplane, or from across a field at 100 yards? Distance = Safety. You stay away from people....you wont get sick. Duh!

Question for Dr. Gupta – If you had a trip planned to Disney World, would you still go?

Jonny–THANK you. I thought I was the only one who thought Rahm Emanuel is hot...

Well, I love my jeep, but I don't think that I will ever buy another Chrysler.

That is great news! Hope this gloomy recession scenario will end soon!

I cannot afford pay cuts and short work week anymore!

Ali Velshi,

I hope so!

I love economy despite not understanding much of it. I consider myself one curious who reads everything put in front about economy.

Thus, this is the first post I read, so optimistic.
I only can to say: I hope so!

Where can I obtain Tamiflu. I am immune compromised and would like to have some on hand. I have called everywhere and no one has any except for one hospital and their supply is very limited. Everyone is back ordered.

When does Anderson get the plane on Randi's days off? I thoght she lent it ot Jack Gray ?

I have to say Joe is right. On a road trip last month to Seattle and one person got sick. Then on the way back to Spokane, everyone was sick. I got a 104 fever and I was in the middle of no where....

joe biden is drawing criticism for his comments on viruses and air travel. why, then was there such uproar over the case of the traveler on a commercial airline who had a possible case of TB? why was that such a concern, if viruses aren't that conateous on planes?

i ride the subway at least once a day, and i can tell you there were a lot of nervous and annoyed people on my subway car today whenever someone would cough.

airports make people sick as well as planes . ask most people who fly. I get sick in them and am always very healthy . the hepa filters that they say they use are not changed enough if ever...Biden was right.......remember the ebola scare people on the plane died...hence the book "EBOLA"
the price for airplne gasoline goes up when yopu allow outside air into the plane maybe the resistance causes this. mandated hepa filter changes daily in airports plus planes, maybe hourly could stop this epidemic....???

i hope cnn keeps an updated map on which states h1n1 has spread to. other news networks haven't been keeping their updated and so many cases are unconfirmed.

@ Lynn Hansen

Based on the symptoms you are describing and what my doctor told me today, you should probably be seen and tested by a doctor.

My doctor's office is meeting people in the office parking lot, testing them for A type flu and if positive they are treated and get results as to whether H1N1 virus.

Best wishes for your health

I'm flying to Chicago next week. My (mild) asthma and allergies are triggered by season changes (especially wild temperature shifts like those we've had recently), and I expect I'll cough or sneeze at least once on the flight...I'm not worried about contracting swine flu myself, but is there anything I can do to put my fellow passengers at ease? I know to cover my mouth when I cough/sneeze, of course...I just don't want to cause a panic!

Thank you for inviting us, Anderson.

Come on guys, cut the vice president a break. If I had the choice of flying on a plane versus taking another alternative transportation, I'd take the latter. The reality is your chances of picking up a virus in a more confined air space are higher than opposed to sitting in an unconfined space. – coming from a former Microbiologist

Influenza A viruses are catergorized into subtypes based on the two major surface antigens: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). The hemagglutinin surface antigens help the influenza virus attach to cells in the body, while the neuraminidase surface antigens help the virus penetrate the cells. The spanish flu of 1918-1919 was also caused by a/H1N1 and was responsible for at least 30 miliion to 50 million deaths worldwide including at least 675,000 deaths in the United States. In 1957-1958 the "Asian flu" was casued by subtytpe A/H2N2 and was responsible for 70,000 deaths in the United States.
hope this clears up how they derive the name of the virus...

Hey AC360 and Dr. Gupta,
I receive a new room mate from Mexico, but I feared to share the house with him as him infectious. Does twine flu attack people with O-blood group or just only other weaker goups? a myth, I don't know!!

@Isabel, H1N1 or swine flu either one. I guess swine flu isn't as PC
Also I agree we need precise diagnoses immediately to get out in advance of the outbreak and to know just what it takes to treat the cases that come up.

Randi Kaye's rept excellent, though I heard some airlines don't ventilate thoroughly. VP Biden gets a C on helping to avoid a public frenzy, and an A for painting a picture, not quite correct, but graphic

Go Ali, You are the best, Love the way you break things down

There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Do you also take questions in Morse code???

Carrier pidgeon! Hilarious

Actually, VP Biden isn't completely wrong, and the expert quoted tonight isn't completely correct either. I have read in more than one place over hte past year or two, that our airplanes do NOT circulate the air as much as they are capable of, in order to save money. Therefore, we passengers ARE not getting as much fresh air as we could. Airlines..........would be good if you could step up to the plate right now, and give us more fresh air!

i ride the subway at least once a day, and i can tell you there were a lot of nervous and annoyed people on my subway car today whenever someone would cough.

I know you have money to take a taxi.

If you are in confined space such as elevators or planes or where there are crowds if you hold your breath adoes that decrease your chance of catching germs ?

airlines say they have lots of ventilation in cabins, not exactly true. There is no ventilation until engines power up. When you are boarding the planes the engines are not powered up. You can sit in the cabin for quite some time with all those people before they power up the engines

Hello Anderson,
Since the last time I blogged...Today we have been aformed here in east Texas that the New Diana school dist. has shut down cause of a student having the swine flu. I live in Ore City and New diana is 7 miles from us. I work in a grocery where everyone shops from around from the area. What can i do to protect myself against this flu... I am doing what I can such as using hand sanitizer and keeping the credit card terminal clean with clorox wipes.... The swine flu has now hit the East Texas area.

Anderson, is there any way i could send my question via telegraph?

are you all watching erica's webcast.. ali is talking right now about his twitter war with ed henry.. ali even has a cool twitter nom de guerre

Swine flu (actually since today called influenza A H1N1 and not swine flu anymore) is different that seasonal flu en that it is the result of significant genetic recombination (the virus has parts of four different influenza viruses) and thus it is a new virus, one that the entire population of the world has never been exposed to.

Anderson,
Love your comment about the carrier pidgeon. We were talking at work how funny it sounds for grown people to be talking about "tweeting" .... Ok, I broke down and logged into this twitter thing but think I am sticking with the blog.

Happy Thursday everyone...

swine flu has hit ft.myers florida in a elementary school.

@ Anderson Cooper

People are scared, very scared. Everyone always knew that the means of public transport are not the most hygienic, now then.

Please, when you reach your destination, don't forget to wash your hands, OK? lol ...

lol – in the non-tech category of question submissions , I think I'll take your 'carrier pigeon' over 'snail mail' Anderson.

Is there any professional opinion as to whether people who received the 1976 Swine Flu vaccine have any increased resistance to the current strain?

Serial killers, controversial Miss USA contestants, a criminal's fiance who doesn't want to let go – this is why I like news. Never lets you down.

Being that the cases of the swine flu in the US are currently mild, would it be better to be exposed now and build immunity in case the virus becomes as deadly here as it is in Mexico?

I can see the problem poor who ever was coughing some times my throat gets dry i need drink of water so i start to have a tickjle in my throat needless to say they would throw me of the subway .This is creating paronia.

I hear you Anderson, on the elevator the other day a women sneezed into her hands, pushed the floor she was going to and then she looked at my sheepishly! I just glared at her, what could I say?

Should all passenger in the air being wearing a mask?.....anyway?

Anderson – I took the subway here in Toronto for the first time in a while today and I echo your sentiment about the nervous and annoyed people on the subway cars when someone would cough or sneeze.Luckiy, there wasn't a lot of caughing and sneezing.

Anderson, we had a woman at a restaurant caught repeatedly with no containment and the people at the tables around that woman including us, all left. She had that section of the restaurant to herself.

I have paid for an all inclusive trip to Playa Del Carman at a resort between Cancun and Cozumel from May 27 -June 4th. I have until May 6th to cancel for full refund – should I cancel?

I am really concern the bus driver is not pay attention while he text and drive, can be cause accident, That is very dangerous reckless drive while he texted.

@Erica,
I think Tamiflue will block the spread of snezzing and couphing

does the h1n1 virus always need a human host to keep itself alive?
Can it live on a household surfaces? If so – how long? thank you for your answer.

@anderson Eduardo (ed henry) is totally gonna bring it! We need your support ppl, @edhenrycnn WILL WIN! lol

Hmm I wonder what Lee Ioccoca thinks of Fiat taking over Chrysler?

Use mask prevention instead of flu. Airline travel is a perfect condition for the spread of virus. Japan has issued masks for years to protect flyers. I have used masks on flights and avoided other's germs and made others more confident when I cough because of allergies. We need to get over our egos and protect ourselves and one another, all the time.

Hi everyone! I honestly wasn't taking this swine flu seriously until Wednesday when the number of cases escalated and the first US case was reported. But now, I am more nervous if I should even travel in the fall.

Anderson, Eduardo (Ed Henry) is my man, sorry Ali....

What is it going to take for the government to take this serious? What, its not spreading fast enough? Why arent we in the state of emergency? Are they waiting for people to start dying? And if so then it might be too late. Looks like the government is leaving thing up to us like always.

So, if you cannot get germs on an airplane WHY when someone is on one with TB does the medical community go crazy over that IF the air systems are so good on an airliner? Doesn't make sense to me at all!

Anderson riding the subway??? Whew!! You did not get 'mobbed'!! LOL

Can you aquire the swine flu a second time? (If you can a mild case now but the pandemic becomes more deadly, can you get it again?

I am allergic to dust, pollen and certain perfumes. Would someone please tell me how the blazes I can explain I am sick from allergies and not the swine flu?

What does nom de Guerre mean in english ?

Dr. Thompson: Thanks for your question. No, the virus is not man made. Nature is actually better than we are. Recombination of different influenza viruses in pigs happens because pigs can get infected with pig strains, avian strains and human strains. The current influenza A H1N1 is two parts swine, one part avian and 1 part human......

@ Anderson Cooper:

"Ali even has a cool twitter nom de guerre."

Easy there, college!

I read a pandemic prepartory document that theorized that the "first" wave could last in an area for 1 month with a peak of infection in the first two (2) weeks. Is there any truth to this?

Also, how likely will a "second" wave be in 3 to 9 months ("next flu season") in the fall?

Here in the Rio Grande Valley All of our local phyarmacys and our local Doctors are low if not completly out of both medications used for treating Swine flu and are unable to ubtain more. The reason for this is Doctors from Mexico are comeing accross and trying to buy as much of the medicans as they can as there is no stocks left in Mexico. Also they are sending their patients to the U.S. to fill their prescrbtions for these drugs.
Now here in the Rio Grande Valley we have 5 comfrimend cases all linked to people comeing across from Mexico.

Good evening AC,
Qn for Dr Gupta. We were planning on goin on a 3 day vacation to San Diego. SD being so close to Mexico (it would practically be a neighboring city in another world), would you have an opinion to go for it or not?

whats nom de guerre?

Thats really creepy how the serial killer was out on the loose for decades at a time without being in jail for a while

Since this virus was transffered from pigs to humans,then human to human.Can the infected humans transffer to there pets or other farm animals?

The report of Thomas is just amazing. All social workers in California must have a life-scan with extensive background checks....

hmm... i wonder y everyone is nervous about riding the subway... could it b because of a certain subway coughing coverage some network did yesterday?...

This serial killer should be penalized and put to death row!

Maybe Micheal Jackson is not cvrazy for wearing a mask all these years ha!

Question for Dr. Gupta:
Is the 8511 N95 respiratory mask recommended for prevention as well as caregiving?

I work in a hospital setting...every morning, I use 1 bottle of alcohol cleaning my desk and the whole nurses' station ( where I spend most of my time). I've been doing this for 3 yrs now since I got hired. My co-workers laugh every morning but I am paranoid about getting sick esp. working in this kind of environment–more so now when people are in and out of our floor.

All of the admitted patients in our hospital now go through H1N1 screening.

the battle heats up, and now cooper is in on the action...look out!

I think Joe Biden answered the question honestly. Let's face it , WHO classified the swine flu outbreak as a level 5 one step away from highest level, so I don't think what VP Biden said will change anything.

Anderson,
Hi! I hope you continue to stay safe from the swine flu.
It would be great to see the recession turn around over the summer. I'd hope there would be more focus on creating new jobs rather than relying on what has worked in the past.

How long is the incubation period for the H1N1?

Anderson,
I am on it right now twitter with Ali and Ed too. So exciting!

You think planes and subways are germy?? I remember the college classes that had over 200 students in it! Sitting in a room with that many people for 50 min or 90 min (depending on day) is plenty of time for anyone to get sick. In spite of wiping down my mini desk each class day- I remember always being sick with something or other during my freshman year. Ahhchoo, indeed!

Oh and let's not forget the lovely (being sarcastic here) classmates who used the same tissue for the entire class period. ugh!

A co-worker returned to work yesterday after vacationing in Mexico. She wasn't feeling well, came in today and left feeling sick. She's being tested for Swine Flu today. How worried should I be?

k, ali likes V-Money, so V-Money it is! i hope everyone is following @alivelshi.

and @gayle mc, haha he called u out!!!! campaign manager for Eduarrrdo (Ed Henry)!!! lol

Erica, awesome webcast!

Good Evening Anderson!

Tonight my 10 year old son came down with a moderate fever and a stomach ache – he has vomitted a couple of times. We are going to take him to the doctor in the morning.

Two questions:

1) What is the probability that he has some other type of Flu other than Swine Flu?

2) Should our family stay home from work and school until he has been properly diagnosed?

Thanks,

Lynn H.

Anderson – I thought many serial killers elude the police for a long time (if not forever). Are you really all that surprised?

What does tha Ed Henry name mean? On twitter guy with swave tweet or something?

If the Department of Homeland Security knew of the epidemic in Mexico before spring break, why wasn't the American public informed; and if they didn't know about it – why didn't they?

Anderson, In regards to Swine flu in mexico, all you see are people wearing masks. Isn't this only helping the people who are infected from spreading it and not helpful in pertecting the people from getting it? Can't they get it from contact with their eyes which are not protected...

Hi, I'm wondering if there is a higher risk with the swine flu to pregnant woman? I'm 4 months pregnant and don't want to stress myself out for nothing. Also is there a risk to my unborn child?

@Erica so I take Anderson is pledging his support for V-money..really? cuz our Eduardo (@edhenrycnn) is catching up, will you support Team Eduardo? lol

They manage to avoid detection because they are good at what they do, they blend in and they don't fit the completely wrong idea that only "strange" looking people are criminals. That's how they become serials.

wouldn't it be better to cough into your sleeve or something rather than your hands that then touch everything and spread more germs especially when so many people are not pro active in the hand washing area?

Question:
I have AIDS with a TCell count of 204 and a viral load over 10,000. Am I at a greater risk catching suine flu than others? and how can I protect myself.

I've worked in hospitals for 35 yrs. and never have I seen so much "A-do" about nothin'! It's the flu for gosh sakes! Had we only been this worked up over HIV when it reared it's ugly head! The media has blown this flu thing way out of proportion and causing alot of unneccessary panic over a few sick days and back to life as usual. All the money and time being thrown at this is enough to make ya sick! We need to chill out.

If this guy is the actual guy this is one of the biggest captures since the Green River Killer and that capture was for something totally different than murder

Mr. Cooper, I'm a fully licensed pilot, as well as, a prior member in the flight community of the U.S. Air Force. One of the main blocks of training that we all go through as pilots, is the containment and control of viruses within the closed environment of an aircraft which flies above 12,000 feet. The flight level of 12,000 is a very key component in this argument, because it's at this level in which the cabin is pressurized and SEALED to simulate an environment to that of 8,000 feet. It's at this time that all air is constantly recycled along with a constant injection of Oxygen from onboard oxygen tanks for us humans to breathe. Well, the point is this....anything that's airborne, such as viruses fron a sneeze, is re-circulated along with all the good air molecules that we rely on to keep us from suffocating at flight altitudes. State College, PA

Ross: the hand disinfectants (alcohol based gels) are great. I carry one with me all the time when I travel and use it frequently to clean my hands. we also use them all the time in the hospitals. If you go to the hospital or go see your doctor, make sure they use the gel before they touch you. Not because you may have something bad but because they may have some resistantr bacteria in their hands that they can give you!

@Anderson Cooper - think people were nervous on the subway today because they watched Randi Kaye's segment on how far one sneeze travels on the subway a couple of nights ago on ac360?

@Erica my vote is for Cooper to win twitter battle .Anderson twitter name Sliver fox! -What do you think Erica ?

I just wanted to know how worried I have to be as a pregnant woman with the swine influenza? Is the medication I can take if infected? What about toddlers if they get infected? Thank you!

I am happy to just learn a new word today. V-money is nom de guerre. Cool.

I heard that the better way to cover your sneeze is to cover it with your sleeve closer to your shoulder, not to your hands.

@Isabel, yes public building often have cold air that can make people feel susceptible to a virus or illness.

Ali's rept on Chrysler and how the recovery might come on both very thorough. So the govt will have a seat on the Chrysler board? For how long? How will this chapt 11 bankruptcy process go, what are the steps? I felt good to hear President Obama give credit to Chrysler and Fiat for their strides toward joining the two companies.

The incubation period is 48 hours and you can pass it to others as long as you have a high fever.

Anderson..."nom de guerre"? That means "name of war." Don't you mean "nom de plume?" Or did I miss something?

What is all the fuss about "swine Flu"??? Every year ~5ook people die world wide from the FLU! There is no antidote for that either so why is this "FLU" making headlines. Seems like a diversionary tactic so we don't worry about the trillions of dollars being printed that will cause runaway inflation in 24 months.

Why not let the victims' families decide how the criminals are punished? I feel those are the people who are entitled to decide the fate of those scumbags.

Give the power back to the victims and their familes! It's the least society can do, especially, since everyone already knows that criminals currently have more rights than the people they hurt!

I thought planes have air filters that are highly rated and remove "bad" things from the air?

Why I see other nations been more precautions about the swine flu than America,
Example: Argentina colse the flights to and from Mexica
Costa Rica: Are asking people to work from home

Why America instead to make everybody stay home and heal, let us go out and get sick...Would it be cheaper have a prevention campaing than a recovery campaing?

What kind of new job could satisfy someone's urge to kill? Exterminator? Mortician?

Hi, any news on the swine flu in South America?

(I Plan to leave in 3 weeks for a 5 week trip to six different countries)

Swine Flu Fear,
I am traveling with my two small children 3 and 8 months From Florida to Maine on a major airline carrier, Hand Sanitizers ready Lysol wipes for when we sit down on the plane Neosporin for the noses, should we go or cancel?

Am I putting my children's life in danger?

Concerned Papa

@ Anderson

What are Ali V and Ed Henry's twitter addresses (can't get the webcast to run on my computer)?

Details, please anyone?

Bus drivers are great people, but they do have a lot of responsibility they need to be conscious of. My grandma rode the bus and fractured her back because the bus driver didn't pay attention.

Is Anderson on that most beautiful list? Both Anderson & Erica should be on there.

Hi Anderson!

I,too ride the "L" subway here in Chicago and noticed that people turn and get annoyed when they hear someone cough. ME? I dont even sit down anymore nor try hard not to hold on to anything. I stand and try to lean on a wall–crazy!!!

@Erica,
I think Tamiflue will block the spread of snezzing and coughing

You must carry hand santizer everywhere even handles on bugys in supermarket are full of bacteria .

Maggie: yes, other parts of Mexico also have cases. In fact, Mexico has 32 States plus the Federal District (where Mexico City is located). There are now cases suspected or confirmed in 14 of the 32 states and in the DF (Mexico City) but, a lot of the talk is about Mexico City because it is there where most cases are and most people live (about 20 M people).

So Miss California got a job campaigning agaisnt same sex marriage. That doesn't surprise me. Controversy leads to opportunity.

What is the risk of taking a small child (2-3 years old) onto a plane (in terms of catching swine flu?)

I heard that the better way to cover your sneeze is to cover it with your sleeve closer to your shoulder, not to your hands.

The twitter battle Ali ,Ed ,Coop so nail bitting i vote for Coop .

I have three questions about the H1n1 virus. First, how long is the incubation period. Two, is an indivdual able to spread the virus to others during this incubation period but not yet having symtoms. Three
is this virus more contagious than other seasonal flu strains.

Should we be concerned about all the vegetables and food products that are imported from Mexico into our food chain. Will the virus stay active on food that is handled by possible infected workers? Thanks

Hmmnnn– Seems the spread in the US is non-stop! Can CDC and health organizations stop it???

Are there any confirmed cases in North Korea at this time? Are there any confirmed cases in China at this time?

Respectfully

Why isnt cnn reporting the news of Supreme Court Justice Souter is retiring and the prospects for an Obama nominee?

@ Lauren–NY

We are not alone in our Rahm-appreciation! How can you beat that smirk, those huge eyes, and that lack of a finger? Man's got the entire package, I tell ya.

The Secretary of Education is kind of cute, but please don't tell me Larry Summers is on that list.

If there is a shortage of tamiflu, would over the counter items such as sambucol or oscillococcinum help you in the same way? What over the counter items would you recommend?

Thanks!

In 1918 there were no antibiotics and many died from secondary issues like pnemonia.

those swine flu shots freak me out more than the actual virus

@Miss J.
I agreee Anderson ,Erica should be on beautiful people list .

hi Anderson,

I was wondering how fast the swine flu is spreading?

Thanks

Wow, you're correct, AC–I Googled "nom de guerre" and it was a phrase for pseudonym that I had never heard! I must be some kind of an idiot. "Nom de plume" I knew, but not "nom de guerre"–war name. Hmm.

Apparently they were frequently adopted by recruits in the French Foreign Legion as part of the break with their past lives and by members of the French resistance during World War II. Thanks for expanding my language skills, kiddo!

I am seeing/hearing conflicting information about using alcohol based gel anti-bacterial hand wash. Some say it has absolutely no affect on this or any virus and some say use it! Bacteria? Virus?
What is the real truth Anderson?

Supreme Court nomination for Obama – woohoo!

I'm going to miss Souter so much.

I love all the stories Jeff Toobin has about him in "The Nine."

Thank you for talking about the Souter retirement.

@ Anthonia – CA

nom de guirre means a "fancy or classy name".

I can't believe that AC rides the NY subway!

In your coverage on tips for not spreading germs when coughing and sneezing re flu you do not mention coughing /sneezing into the bend of your elbow/lower arm. I feel this is a much better method than covering your mouth with your hand or a kleenex.

If the virus is a work in progress does that
mean there will be mutations? Wow now
President Obama gets to appoint a SCOTUS
justice.

I was at the Drs. office because my daughter needed a shot. I heard some pretty bad coughs when I was in there.. It is scary. I washed my hands and used a paper towel on all doors all the way out. However, I feel that if your immune system is okay, then you can survive this flu.

Learning about serial kilers just now really grossed my out! Reminds me of a class I took in college about personalities. It seems that some people are just born that way. That is the only way my brain can make sense of it!

I am a student at a High School in Waukesha, WI, right next to Milwaukee, and there has been 2 reports of the swine flu in Milwaukee, i guess. 4 schools are shut down. I agree on Vice Pres. Biden's decision on not really going anywhere right now. I am even afraid of this, because if this Flu keeps on spreading the way it is, i might be out of school by the middle of may...cant afford that.

What are the chances of getting the swine flu if you get a flu shot?

If its not that fast moving why do we have 220 suspect cases here in Cameron County TX in just the last two days? Other than the fact our hospitals are being flooded by people from Mexico coming here to Brownsville and Harlingen to the hospitals.

hello anderson

are people with hiv more at risk with this swine flu?

I'd love to know if there is anything preventative you can for Swine flu besides hand washing? Would pro-biotics help? Vitamin C? Anything like that?

No matter a man or woman for Justice Souter's empty seat, I want a qualified justice.

Lots of questions about traveling by plane after the comments of the VP. My feeling is that it is safe to travel by plane. I just took a plane on Monday from Mexico City to Atlanta, most people were wearing masks (not because they were mandated but because they wanted). I did the same because we were coming back from Mexico but I am traveling to DC on Wednesday and, I don't plan to take a mask with me. Why, becuase the air circulation and filtration systems in airppanes has been significantly improved in the past years and because this virus does not seem to be highly transmissible.

Leave Miss California alone she is enttiled to her opoinon ,it creates such strife.

I will be very sad to see Justice Souter retire. He's been a great justice.

@ Johny, KY.. I kinda think Rahm Emanuel is quite appealing..u know he was once a trained ballet dancer before he gets all tough up to be the "Rahmbo" ...imagine him in pirouettes

You know I don't hear anyone talking about the 1918 flu also came out in a limited form in the spring and then evloved and came out in the fall in a very virulient form! I'm not worried about swine flu as it exists today but what it will be this fall. Also anyone know why influenza goes away in the summer months?

I know, hearing someone cought (these days) is not the "Sound Of Music."

You were talking about the first to show signs of revival would be retail stores and some there was also mention of truckers in there. I'm a writer for the online truck stop – 12Volt-Travel.com. We would like to welcome all truckers to stop by and browse our virtual shelves.

Why are we still referring to this as "swine flu" instead of "H1N1" virus?
Come on AC360...get on board.

Shaun
Yonkers, NY

Questions for the doctor...when a vaccine is offered for the H1N1 virus, will it also be available to individuals with egg allergies? If not, how dangerous is it to receive the vaccine as a person allergic to eggs?

I understand how this Swine Flu is passed from person to person, but when can it be passed? Is it when a person feels terrible and has or the symptoms? or days before?

What? But David Souter isn't even that old. He's not the youngest but he's not that old.

Will Hepa air filters also help against contracting the flu? I have major concerns....

Mr, Cooper,

Have there been any cases IN Cancun? If not , why would our gov. not want us to go there? Mexico is a big country. Would you not go to Maine if you heard that Orlando had a outbreak of swine flu?

If you contract the H1N1 virus and recover, are you immune from that particular strain of virus in another outbreak?

I sure hope I'm not still working when I'm 69!

Hawaii is really spun up checking visitors and checking them twice. I hope that paradise dodges the bullet!

If this virus started in Mexico over a month ago, when was the first death in Mexico ?
Are we going to follow the same path ....

Ohhh let the guy retire! He's old anyway! Let him spend his remaining good years with his family and friends!

Mandy: tell your parents that coming to NY for your graduation is perfectly safe.....enjoy your graduation and hope you have your family with you for the moment.

@ David, Indiana
One thing that always worried me was the maintenance of air-conditioning in public building. If it exists!

@ Randi Kaye and 360 team
The air-conditioning, in business, should be a major focus of germs, right?

Jack Gray has been encouraging the Ed Henry and Ali Velshi Twitter followings today - along with Erica Hill and Randi Kaye - come on girls - take on these guys!!

How long does it take before someone feels the symtoms of swineflu.

I guess Justice Souter was waiting for a dem so he could retire. Good!

That was a great report by Gary! I am sure we will be hearing more about this in the future. It is unbelievable that this could have gone on for so long.

you can follow Eduardo (Ed Henry) @edhenrycnn and V-money (Ali Velshi) @alivelshi on twitter..Go Eduardo!

Anderson–Thanks for covering the Souter retirement... keep bringing us quality news

Sherri: there is no chance of getting swine flu (or any other kind of flu) from a flu shot. The flu shot is highly effective and I take one every year to protect myself from seasonal infleunza and also vaccinate my family. Take the flu vaccine every year, it may prevent you from getting ill!

I have just read an article on the BBC that they have seen a mutation to H1N1 to H1Z1 and have seen a zombie effect in London. Also in the article is that the WHO has raised the threat to level 6. Am I reading this correctly????

I live in alamogordo nm , although i haven't been to mexico ,people travel back in forth al the time. i took my seven tear old to the hospital on monday night with flu symptoms, the doctor said everyone is just panicing. They dignosed her with pnumonia, should they have tested her and should I be concerned? Another girl that rides her bus (a friend of my other daughter)also went to the hospital the same night and was told she had pnumonia.What do you think?

Let's hope Obama's pick paid his/her taxes.

@Laura-Is that true...? if so, then you are totally right about controversy leads to opportunity!!

Hello all,

Creepy serial killer in LA for so long. It boggles the mind that someone like that can hold down a good gov't job for decades but someone like me can't even get an interview.

Sorry if that seems trite in light of all he's done, but I have income on the mind tonight.

We have confirmed cases of H1N1 in students at the University of Delaware. The state opened a center where people showing symptoms can be checked out. As of yesterday, they actually stopped testing for the virus and are basing the diagnosis on symptoms only. People showing symptoms are being given Tamiflu, a mask and told to isolate themselves. How can an accurate determination be made on the number of people actually affected be made if they're no longer testing for the virus?

Valerie, You will know within 48 hours if you have it or not. You will feel really really bad with a high fever. And you will be able to pass it to other until your fever is gone.

jeffery tobin for supreme court justice! jeffery jeffery jeffery

When will the swine flu virus be available? Is it going to be out in time to stop the spreading of this flu?

Hi Anderson from Dublin. We have had our first probable case confirmed today...someone from the East of the country back from holidaying in Mexico...but the Health Authority’s treated him with Tamiflu even though it hasn't been fully confirmed that he has the "Swine Flu", guess they're not taking any chances.

Now I have one question for your experts & that is if someone with a chronic illness caught it...would Tamiflu or the other anti-viral drugs work as well as they would with a healthy person?

I overheard a remark from an elderly woman today…who was talking to a group of elderly friends she said to the group. “Ah sure, it could be a lot worse if the auld pigs could REALLY fly”!

I wish you & all your reader's a good & safe weekend & hope the "SWINE" misses you all, in fact misses everybody. Bye.

Is there any common sence left in this world. You give a Pig a "Influenza A" vaccine and when it combines and mutatesinside the pig, you ask where a swine flu comes from? I'm not a rocket scientist; but I would be willing to take a shot at that answer.

Miss California has already had her 15 minutes! She's not even Miss USA and she's getting all this publicity! Enough already!

Have seen the CNN Live coverage of the press conference done by National Marriage Group with Ms California as the 'endorser'. This one for sure is another controversial move for her. Expect a lot of comments good and bad on this one!

She should be careful in choosing whom to affiliate with -as she may get exploited/used!!!

Anderson thanks for making the effort to call the flu 1NH1 rather than Swine Flu. I think you're helping to cool the panic and worry by doing so!
Always enjoy 360 every night. Best to you all there! Keep hankerchiefing!

Wow. Time to hire a new supreme court judge. That's good news for us.

69 is young for a supreme court justice to retire. "Subtle chemistry" nicely illustrative way to describe the interrlations of the justices on the supreme court.

My question for Sanjay and Dr. Del Rio is how long do they think we'll be on pandemic alert or condition red?

Do recent development w the swine flu sort of encourage travel in the US in the coming days?

Dr. Gupta,

The news show schools being sterilized after students are known to have the swine flu. How long does the virus live, and to what extent should things be sterilized? What kills the virus?

I am so sorry people have died with the swine flu, but I wish someone could explain to me why this is so much worse than the 30,000 people that die every year from the regular flu.

Hello Anderson,

My wife & I are scheduled to leave for Cabo San Lucas on May 8th. Can you ask Dr. Gupta if he would keep these plans to travel to Baja California or should we try to change our plans to somewhere like the Bahamas?

Bret

Michelle, Nom de guerre means pseudonym.

Hi Anderson

I live in Las Vegas. My neighbor just came home from the hospital and has all the symptoms of the Swine Flu. She told me that there were many people in the hospital with the same symptoms. She was told she has Bronchitis and was given medication for it. Las Vegas is visited by millions of people around the world, including Mexico. There is a big Mexican population in Las Vegas. How can it be that we have not been struck with this epidemic? Is it possible that Las Vegas is not reporting this spread to the public because it would be a huge loss to the city, could you imagine Las Vegas without tourism?

If you were to score this virus on a level one to ten (ten being terrifying), which number would would fit best.

Lab created, a la Andromeda Strain! I think not....

I was taught that if you keep your hands away from your face as much as possible, you cut down the risk of viruses and bacteria entering your body to make you sick. The bonus is that doing this also prevents breakouts (such as pimples) on your face.

It has been reported in the past that 80-90 percent of jet aircraft cabin air flow is recycled, thus spreading used air to most everyone on board.

Question for Dr Gupta, what happens if this Swine Flu interacts with the basic flu we get every year.............Is it possible that you could have both at the same time...........

If you get swine flu can you get it again?

ok. wow. what an intense day. so full of news. the virus situation is actually quite interesting. too many topics to comment on – too much detail.

Please stay on the Airlines and the FAA to require Hepa Filters
on all planes including all the Regional planes.
There is no reason why they FAA should not require that at once.
It would also help to have everyone that boards a plane to wear
a face-mask, including pilots and crew.

Why is the CDC the only lab that suspected samples are sent to...wouldn't it be more efficient to have severalregional labs?

@Monica-does she have a high fever? I've heard it starts with a high fever and aches like the regular flu.

Thanks for asking Sanjay how he was doing Anderson. That was nice of you.

how long does it take for u to know that you have h1n1

Miss California may be sincere in her opposition to gay marriage, but it's also clear that she's using the issue to remain in the public eye–does anyone even know who the actual winner of the pageant was?

Breaking up with a guy who has plastic restraints and a ladies underwear collection in his apt. Good idea.

Who actually won the miss USA contest????

Please tell us how the present type A H1N1 swine flu iis specifially seperated and identified from Type A H1N1 in 1918 and the type A H1N1 vaccine given in 2008. For example A H1N1 varient such and such.

Go, Miss California!

Craigslist fiancee'--Finally! someone woke you up. Time to move on, girlfriend !

If someonehas the Swine virsus or anyo other virus and they smoke,can it be transmitted from the second hand smoke? Can the virus attach itself to smoke particals?

Nature is still out of people control and creates somethings that amaze us all the time. The mix of many type of flus to be swine flu is one of them. Wonder what will be next.

How do we know that she would have one if she had answered differently? If that makes her feel better, go ahead.

How effective are masks certified by NIOSH as N95, N99 & N100?
Are they identical in protection against Infuenza A, B & C?

A newscaster in Minnesota stated that the reason they are finding no Swine Flu in our pig population is because there is no test available to detect a virus in pigs. Is this true??

with destination weddings on the rise, many of us future brides have weddings planned in the Cancun/Riviera Maya area. For us, we leave at the beginning of June. Do we cancel?? We have many guests traveling with us and have planned for several months, so to reschedule everyones vacation would not be a option. I want to makae sure our guests will be safe. So it's go or cancel???

Anderson, why don't you purchase the Spotted Cat? Keep the tradition going.

Is the "Spotted Cat" the place where Anderson got his famous crab cakes?

beautiful music

Anderson, I'm sorry one of your favorite bars is closing. That's a shame.

By any chance, did you take swing classes when in New Orleans, Anderson? I'm sure they will miss you, too!

people it's not that hard to put your phone away while driving....

Are those masks I see people wearing Particulate Masks

@ Anderson: Was part of that magic you dancing doing the foxtrot?

@Anderson, Erica – i read your guys' tweets about that "twitter battle" earlier... but i'm following both Ed and Ali so at least I wont be part of the insanity haha can't wait to see who wins =]

if you have the flu and cannot access healthcare, what can you do? i think i have the flu and no insurance!

I can't believe our Homeland Security has banned the border patrol from wearing the sars masks because they would make them appear intimidating. Where are their priorities?

I am so sorry to hear that "The Spotted Cat" is closing. I had hoped to visit it someday. I guess I will have to find another place to swing dance when I go to NOLA.

@Erika-I've heard that you cannot. Your body will build up an immunity to that particular virus, just as it does to the regular flu strains when you get those.

Texting while driving in just a dumb thing to
do there is no way to keep our eyes on the road.

That bus driver sounds like a real idiot. I could see texting while driving but not while you're driving a bus with a bunch of people on board.

In as much as this strain of flu is obviously spreading , it would appear that Vice President Bidden's comments is a common sense approach that most people should follow to try to stay well.

Hey Anderson.

Ya who cares what Biden said. I mean I agree sometimes he needs to put his foot in his mouth. But he doesn't mean harm. I appreciate that he wished the same for the country as he wished for his own family. Although we don't want a panic. I don't think ANYONE is worried. When I asked people in school they all replied "..well im going to take the Swine Vaccine this weekend.." They think there is a vaccine already. No one is worried. They are ignorant.

That is a shame that the Spotted Cat is closing in NOLA.

Good night Anderson and all bloggers. TGIF tomorrow!

I've ridden with bus drivers reading newspapers, talking on phone, texting, and FALLING asleep while driving. Discreetly, I always approach them about it, and or call it in to MTA. But I still see it a lot.

Once, while waiting at a subway station for my train to pull in, the conductor was out cold when the train pulled in. I walked up to his window a woke him with, "You're here." I Asked him if we was OK. He said he was. But how scary is that.

I remember the spotted cat when I was in New Orleans. Did not know it is owned by local New Orleans resident. Sad to see it has to be closed.

Good Evening from EL Paso Texas.

Did I just hear JT correctly? two parts pig, one part bird and one part human ?!?!? What in the WORLD ??? And we're supposed to just 'wash our hands'?

Should people living near intensive hog operations be more concerned?

Miss CA is being demonized by the left. She was asked fror her opinion, gave it, and guess what, 55% of America agrees with it.

Joe Walker, Masks will help keep it out of your face but you must change them often. Think of it this way your wearing a sponge on your face, it stops the stuff but it also holds it there.

oh – the spotted cat sounds like it was very unique and special. some things live on in spirit – special places included.

How are we going to stop the swine flu or is it just going to keep spreading throughout the world. what are the states that swine flu has hit

Sorry to hear about the closing of the Spotted Cat–it sounded like a really unique spot in a really unique city.

After seeing that video with the bus driver texting while he was driving and getting into that accident makes me really mad because he was a paratransit driver and had passengers with him.

My daughter (5) has Type A flu and we are waiting for CDC to get back with us .. we are having serious problems in Tampa Florida finding Tamiflu for her and the rest of the family member. How long does it take for CDC to confirm and what is the process after doctor confirms it's Type A flu?

Good night Anderson, Erica, David G, Edurado (Ed Henry) and my friend twitter/facebook bloggers!!!!!!!
Have a great night and sleep tight everyone!!!!
See you on Monday night!
I am glad Dr Gupta is doing great job, and he's fine!
Anderson,
Have a great night, good sleep at home after work!!!! See you Monday night!!! Have a plenty sleep!

Why isn't anyone talking about the confirmed cases of "H1N1" in NJ?

Good evening Anderson,

Relax. Do the best you can to build up resistance to the flu and all will be well.

Best wishes to your AC360 team.

Sincerely,

Lisa L
Sydney, Australia

Hey Anderson,

With just only one death in the US, are schools jumping the gun with all of the closings?

May the best man win the twitter war! Goodnight everyone.Peace to all of you and yours.

It's about that time -

Anderson - good show tonight, enjoyed the mix of topics - I have fond memories of my visits to NOLA - lots of unique places - one of my favorites "Mid City Lanes"

Erica - now following you on Twitter - you need a picture!

Good night, Fellow Bloggers - enjoyed chatting ... until tomorrow ... peace

What makes the swine flu so much more worse than the flu we normaly get. Why is it such a big deal and why isn't the nomal flu treated like this

@Shaun
It was Kristen Dalton from North Carolina who actually won.

goodnite all!

Since I had surgery 2 1/2 years ago, my immune system is very weak. It seems as though whenever I am around someone with a cold, I get it, no matter how much I wash my hands. What can I do for a preventive course so I don't get the virus, what can I do to build up my immune system ?

Anderson,
thank you for allowing us to ask questions about the swine flu (I don't remember the new name). I always know when I watch AC360 I'm informed, I usually learn something new, and I'm laughing. And I love to laugh!! ...Funny shot! LOL. Thanks again Anderson! Good night and keep smiling.

I like this Erica. This is America, we sue:) Well this guy deserves it.

Good night everybody! Stay safe.

@wade–have you ever had the regular flu before? If you have, it will feel like that. If you haven't then be suspicious if you get a high fever, some congestion and maybe a sore throat, and a headache and/or body aches. When you get a cold you usually don't get a bad headache and bad body aches. When you have the flu all your joints hurt. It sucks.

off course you can possibly catch it on a plane how you think it got all over the world it didnt walk

Why is Miss California now trying to be Miss Opposite Marriage? She should be made to choose. I do not feel that she is going to be warmly regarded by some in California after this and won't it interfere with her duties as Miss California. I am a person in as Miss Cali. says an "opposite" marriage and if a same sex couple gets married it is no threat to my 19 year marriage of my parents 40 year marriage. Also, she was not in first place when she answered this question. She lost the pageant.

How effective are masks for prevention and caregiving?

Good night Anderson and Everybody at 360!

Good night fellow bloggers (especially Vanessa TX for twitter names)

Gotta admire Dr. Gupta's decision to not go home for 48 hours to make sure he doesn't have virus and give it to his family!!

@ Niwat, Chicago

I did know that he once danced ballet! How cool is that? And you bet I'm thinking of those pirouettes...

Oh no! No piece about the sexiest people in the administration? But I must know!!

Re: The Shot

How can one text and drive?? I can barely hold a conversation and drive (in the city)- forget about texting and driving!

The bus driver is definitely "not the sharpest tool in the shed".

My corporation has had a pandemic plan in place for a few years. They announced today that anyone who has recently traveled to Mexico will be given 7 days paid to stay @ home. If they have no symptoms they can return to work after their week at home. Great gesture by a great place to work!

Good Night Anderson, Erica and the 360 team. Awesome show tonight! See you tomorrow everybody!

Thanks, 360 team for a great show and a language lesson. Take care! See you tomorrow. <3

Whew-another great show!! Bye bye bloggers! - Tata Erica & Anderson!

The health official are on the case for a vaccination. Have a good night everyone!

goodnight Anderson and Erica and everyone at AC360

can't wait for tomorrow nights show! will be on the live blog all hour for SURE for friday's show =]

Texting while driving is a bad idea. Fortunately no one is hurt.

Good night Anderson, Erica, AC 360 team, and all bloggers.
Wish you all a great Friday.
Sweet dreams!!

Thanks for another interesting night Anderson and you amazing AC360 crew!

have a wonderful evening and be safe!

Goodnight Anderson, Erica, smartees..Eduardo & V-money..
Stay safe and enjoy your evening!

Miss California has a convoluted image of her importance in the big scheme of things....... she is entitled to her opinion, she gave it , she did not answer the question correctly.... and I really doubt Perez Hilton has that much power as a judge. Your 15 mins of fame are overrrrr..

Why does it take so long to figure out if a positive flu case is swine flu or not?

Good night, Anderson!!
Thanks for blogging with us Tonite! Will we have more tomorrow?

Good night, friends, bloggers!
Good night, David (Indiana)!!

Take care, everyone!

see, texting CAN be bad for your health! (or at least the poor SUV that was in the wrong place at the wrong time).

slammed into the suv, sorrry

goodnight everyone

Having worked contagion hospital units and licensed as a pubilic health nurse, I question the judgment of the supposed professionals who assert that we have cases of swine flu in this country there is no purpose in implementing border interventions such as thermal scanning to complete travel prohibitions. If this is a serious illness there is always good sense in limiting the number of active cases that can spread disease. What gives? Are the economic concerns of the travel industry more important than our health?

Good night, Anderson!!
Great show today! Thanks!

good night all!