Touch of the flu

First day back from vacation, and it comes as no surprise that the big topic today was swine flu. (Phrase of the day from morning conference: "death clusters.") We activated the negative pressure room, reviewed CDC guidelines, argued the merits of various antiviral strategies. Numerous worried patients presented, and several healthcare providers were armed with the heavy-duty face masks we use with tuberculosis patients. Meanwhile I'm trying to remember whether I got my flu shot this year....