FeelingFlu.com Sponsors Free 'Get the Facts About Swine Flu' Web Chat November 5th

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- With swine flu (H1N1) vaccine in short supply, the general public and especially those in high-risk groups, need straight forward answers from medical professionals.

During a live "Get the Facts About Swine Flu" chat, pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene, Chief of Future Health for A.D.A.M., Inc. and author of Feeding Baby Green, will provide advice about what parents can do to protect their families from swine flu. This chat is sponsored by FeelingFlu.com.

Doctors and emergency rooms are overwhelmed with people who are concerned about swine flu, many of whom do not have the virus. In cities across the country, people wait all day to get the swine flu vaccine at schools and clinics and many are turned away due to a shortage of the vaccine.

"Panic doesn't help," says Dr. Greene. "Many people who end up in the emergency room for H1N1 don't need to be there. At the same time, many people who should be seen in the ER aren't going. Up to half of those who would benefit from treatment aren't getting the treatment they need."

There's a great deal of misinformation on the Internet about swine flu and what causes it, how it spreads, its symptoms and contagiousness. One tool that provides a one-stop-shop for research-based information is the new website www.feelingflu.com.

Developed by healthcare information and technology provider A.D.A.M., Inc., www.feelingflu.com has an assessment tool that evaluates risk factors and symptoms and creates a Personal Action Plan for users which helps them understand what to do next. A Spanish version of feelingflu.com is due out later this month.

During the Web Chat Dr. Greene will address:

The facts about swine flu vaccinations -- Pregnant women and children are in high-risk groups and are encouraged to get vaccinated. However, there are differing positions on the safety of the vaccine.

How to protect loved ones from getting swine flu -- There are many other steps to take in addition to frequent hand washing.

What to do if a family member may have swine flu -- Dr. Greene will discuss how to use A.D.A.M.'s www.feelingflu.com assessment tool and provide specialized advice for parents, pregnant women and college students.

Preventing the spread of swine flu to others -- Dr. Greene will explain whether or not to quarantine swine flu sufferers and steps that can be taken to make sure it doesn't spread to others.

Media and the general public are encouraged to attend Dr. Greene's chat. Here are the details:

What: FeelingFlu.com "Get the Facts About Swine Flu" Web Chat

Who: Pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene, FeelingFlu.com's expert on flu prevention and treatment

When: November 5(th) at 10:00 AM Pacific Time, 1:00 PM Eastern

Where: www.drgreene.org/chat

(Dr. Alan Greene is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, attending Pediatrician at Packard Children's Hospital, and Chief of Future Health at A.D.A.M., Inc. His award winning web site, www.drgreene.com, was launched in 1995 and receives more than half a million visitors per month. He is also the father of four children).