H1N1 Self-Assessment Designed to Guide Patients, Alleviate Stress on System

"However, we absolutely need to see the ones who are severely ill, who need immediate stabilization, and those who are in these definable risk groups who are at high risk for becoming severely ill," Kellermann says. "We never want a person who needs us to be deterred by an overcrowded system. This [self assessment] allows the lanes of traffic to flow smoothly to get the patients to America's doctors and nurses who need to be there."

Kellermann says Emory worked for months getting input from the nation's experts, professional societies, public health authorities, and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to ensure the right questions were asked in the self assessment.

The site will also be updated immediately as new information arises on H1N1, including risk factors and precautions.

"The beauty of having this on the Web is the tool can evolve as rapidly as the virus does," Kellermann says.

And it will very likely help, Kellermann says. He adds that predictions say this particular strain of H1N1 could affect 20%-40% of the U.S. population this year, and educating consumers on the best way to proceed is good policy to provide quality care to not just flu patients, but those with other conditions as well.

"Just do the math: If half of those people feel bad, that's tens of millions of folks who have substantial flu symptoms—our healthcare system cannot absorb that many people coming in the door," Kellermann says. "That makes having this type of capability out there to allow the American people to self-assess their condition based on expert guidance an essential part of a public health strategy."

HCPro, Inc. Editor Sarah Kearns contributed to this report.