WASHINGTON – “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 http://www.h1n1responsecenter.com. 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.” …
