[Tezcatlipoca]

"GPs fear swine flu misdiagnosis"

Originally Posted by The Guardian

Denis Campbell
The Guardian, Wednesday 5 August 2009

Almost nine out of 10 GPs fear people with serious conditions such as tonsillitis, bronchitis and meningitis could be wrongly diagnosed as having swine flu by the new telephone helpline.

In a survey of 251 family doctors, 87% said that diagnosing swine flu over the phone did mean that other diseases may be missed. The findings raise questions about the National Pandemic Flu Service, which handles half of all calls with an operator, and the other half via its website.

In comments to GP newspaper, which ran today's poll, one GP said: "Saw a case today of measles which was diagnosed over the phone as swine flu." Another said: "Patients are making up symptoms in order to get Tamiflu and for example meningitis or tonsillitis or bronchitis/pneumonia may be missed."

Another GP said he had seen two cases of tonsillitis and a knee infection who were prescribed Tamiflu over the phone.

(snip)