Several organizations have launched Web sites in recent weeks that help patients determine the severity of flu symptoms. But the American Medical Association on Oct. 22 launched a site that it says is the first to offer patients the opportunity to not only complete an assessment but also allow direct communication with their personal physicians.

The Web site takes patients through a series of questions to determine the severity of symptoms and how likely it is they have seasonal flu or influenza (A)H1N1…

Similar Web sites, such as those launched by the Mayo Clinic and Emory University School of Medicine allow patients to send assessment information to HealthVault accounts that can be shared with physicians. But the AMA says its online tool is the only one that allows two-way communication between physicians and patients without leaving the site.

AMA, by Pamela Lewis Dolan, 11/2/09

Tags: H1N1, Infectious Diseases, seasonal flu, swine flu