When to see a doctor

Doctors differ on exactly when to seek medical treatment for swine flu, but offer some general guidelines.

• To get swine flu, you have to have been exposed to it, which so far means you had to have been in affected areas, such as Mexico, in the past week or been exposed to someone from those areas who has flu symptoms.

• If you've been exposed, and you have two or more symptoms of cough, chills, high fever, sore throat, aches, vomiting and diarrhea, seek medical help.

• More specifically, a high temperature is generally considered 101 or more. Vomiting or diarrhea is a normal part of flu but can cause dehydration if they last more than a day.

• Anti-viral medications for swine flu usually work only within the first two days of symptoms, so it's important to come in early. On the other hand, doctors are concerned if too many of the "worried well" come in.