Well, first of all Jenn, if there are no reported cases in your area, then it is not this new strain of swine flu. This virus cannot travel on the wind, in fact ultraviolet will kill it so the merest hint of sunshine is its doom. It does not appear by magic, it needs an index case - a carrier - who would be ill and therefore diagnosed before you fall ill. With the current publicity, you can be sure that any cases will be reported by the mass media for the foreseeable future.
One reason they are so worried about
this virus is that it seems to do most damage to those who are healthiest. This is because as with the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic, what seems to happen with healthy people is that their body mounts a sudden huge immune response that causes multiple organ failure - what is known as a cytokine cascade. There may or may not be another secondary bacterial infection implicated in this - for example, strep throat was suggested as being the trigger for Spanish flu.
This sudden vigorous response is not likely with anyone with your health, you will have a constant enhanced immune response that is draining your energy, but in any case the symptoms you are showing are not the "completely well, then suddenly collapsed mortally ill seconds later" that is the typical picture of a cytokine cascade. In 1918 pithead crane operators and tram drivers were unable to engage brakes to prevent accidents, they fell ill so rapidly.
I would concur with what others have said - you need to see a doctor about
this specific problem, we cannot diagnose it for you, but it is far more likely to be some other less glamourous hospital-acquired infection.
Who would have thought it could be so reassuring to be throwing up....
If it does turn out to be anything like Spanish flu, now would be an extremely good time to start working in a hospital - there are only enough antivirals for hospital personnel, and the policy (supposedly) is that they will get first.
