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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Wondering if swine flu's bad enough to require a doctor's attention? An interactive Web site may help you decide, using the same type of triage calculations that doctors at Emory University use.
Microsoft Corp. unveiled the site Wednesday at . Type in your age - it's only for people over 12 - and answer questions about fever, other symptoms and your underlying health.
The program may conclude you've probably got swine flu - known as the 2009 H1N1 strain - but that rest and fluids should be enough care, or that you need a non-emergency call to your own doctor.
But answer that you've been short of breath - or that you felt better but then the fever came back with a worse cough - and the program flashes: "You might be very sick! Call your doctor now."
It's part of efforts, including local hot lines, to keep people who aren't that sick from flooding already crowded emergency rooms.
LOCAL SWINE FLU VACCINATIONS
The Spokane Regional Health District has received their first doses of swine flu vaccines. They will begin taking appointments for priority patients on October 12th.
--Priority patients include the following:
--Pregnant women
--People who live with or care for infants younger than six months old
--Healthcare and emergency medical workers
--Anyone from six months to 24 years of age
--People from 25 to 64 years of age with health conditions that put them at higher risk of complications from the flu.
Call 324-1648 to make an appointment. However, the SRHD reports that number will not be activated until 8am on the 12th.
Meanwhile, the SRHD has scheduled three, free, community vaccination clinics for people in priority groups.
October 24 - at the Central Spokane YMCA - from 9am - to 3pm
November 7 - at the Spokane Valley YMCA -from 9 am to - 3pm
November 14- North Spokane YMCA - from 9am - to 3pm
The CDC also posts lists of signs to seek emergency flu care, including for children, at .
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