New application: H1N1 Scanner

[Over72]

Hi everyone,
Let me inform you that there is an iPhone application that lets you know if you have the flu (H1N1).
http://www.macworld.com/appguide/app.html?id=317301&expand=false

[belvdr]

Hi everyone,
Let me inform you that there is an iPhone application that lets you know if you have the flu (H1N1).
http://www.macworld.com/appguide/app.html?id=317301&expand=false

That would be a probability of contracting the virus, not if you have it. I can't believe people would pay for some of these apps.

[Pika]

Having those symptoms doesn't mean you have H1N1.

[belvdr]

Having those symptoms doesn't mean you have H1N1.

But you can pay $1.99 for it to tell you so. ;)

[Kadman]

No thanks. I'll just use one of the magic 8 ball apps to let me know.

[Fiveos22]

Having those symptoms doesn't mean you have H1N1.

Well, the way things are going (the fact that this particular virus has sustained and effective human to human transmission - i.e. Grade 6 pandemic) coupled with the fact that it is plausibly predicted to infect 60-120 million people in the US this year the odds of having H1N1 given a clinical diagnosis of "flu" are quite in flu's favor.

And, as has been the case with previous highly infective pandemic influenzas, the season flu (Inf A, Inf B) will not just be eclipsed, but rather replaced by this new guy. Of course that will only be the case in the short term (a few years) until H1N1 gradually becomes the seasonal flu. Also, given the prevalence of this new virus, the demand for confirmatory testing (via PCR) has far outstripped the capacity to confirm and may deplete reagents. Conventional wisdom currently is to defer diagnostic testing to hospitalized patients and particularly high risk patients. Expect that otherwise fit and healthy people with suspected H1N1 to be sent home from ED's and told to remain well hydrated, take Tylenol, and try not to interact with too many other people until a few days after symptoms resolve because the majority of flu patients will be able to fight it off with conservative management.

was that too much?

[lostprophet894]

Well, the way things are going (the fact that this particular virus has sustained and effective human to human transmission - i.e. Grade 6 pandemic) coupled with the fact that it is plausibly predicted to infect 60-120 million people in the US this year the odds of having H1N1 given a clinical diagnosis of "flu" are quite in flu's favor.

And, as has been the case with previous highly infective pandemic influenzas, the season flu (Inf A, Inf B) will not just be eclipsed, but rather replaced by this new guy. Of course that will only be the case in the short term (a few years) until H1N1 gradually becomes the seasonal flu. Also, given the prevalence of this new virus, the demand for confirmatory testing (via PCR) has far outstripped the capacity to confirm and may deplete reagents. Conventional wisdom currently is to defer diagnostic testing to hospitalized patients and particularly high risk patients. Expect that otherwise fit and healthy people with suspected H1N1 to be sent home from ED's and told to remain well hydrated, take Tylenol, and try not to interact with too many other people until a few days after symptoms resolve because the majority of flu patients will be able to fight it off with conservative management.

was that too much?

No. Quite interesting actually.

But it doesn't disprove what you quoted and the fact that this app is just another novelty toy.

[MacProPIMP]

Considering today I was tested for h1n1. At least I know it was done the correct way and not with a stupid iPhone app.

[The General]

Considering today I was tested for h1n1. At least I know it was done the correct way and not with a stupid iPhone app.

You're right. The developer of this toy application shouldn't have created it because MacProPIMP got an H1N1 test today.

[MacProPIMP]

You're right. The developer of this toy application shouldn't have created it because MacProPIMP got an H1N1 test today.

I decided to call bluecross, and guess what? They don't cover iPhone apps, especially when you have a pre-existing condition, for instance, I've had the flu before. But hey, maybe your insurance will cover it. Maybe Obama will reform healthcare and include iPhone apps that are meant to rip people off :)

[FearlessFreep]

Does this also overhype and alarm unnecessarily, just like the actual H1N1 virus?

Oh no! Go vaccinate your kids, yourself, your dog!

Give me a break. It's the flu, people.