Both my toddlers have had temperatures this week, and off their food.

How can I prove/disprove these symptoms might be swine flu or otherwise?

If your toddlers have been to nursery school or are looked after during the day at a cresh/crech with other children of same/similar age, there is a very good chance that one or both got Swine Flu from the group.

The main incubators of Swine Flu are such as schools etc.

Most sufferers recover quite quickly, a week to ten days at most with quite mild symptom, but off work and maybe in bed for a while.

nhs.uk/conditions/pandemic-flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx?WT.srch=1

You can't prove it now as it has just been announced that potential cases are no longer to be sent off for testing – with 100,000 people a day expected to contract it. it would be worth chatting to your doctor to check out all the symptoms.

Rubbish! my whole family just got tested, the doctors came round our house and swabbed us all, because we all had a flu and its going round my sisters school. they came straight away upon phoning and we were positive! Get it checked, its easy as a phonecall to the flu clinic.

What difference would it make? It's not as though They'll have lifelong immunity even if they did both have it.

It's not worth testing..

you cant prove it without a test and since they are no longer testing you will never 'know' for sure. however a temperature alone doesnt indicate swine flu.

I'm not looking for a Cut'n Paste from Wikipedia, can anyone tell me what exactly what it is, in lay-mans terms and how I would know if I was suffering from it, and what are the causes?

nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/art…
This should help it gives you a whole list of symptoms, causes etc.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is sometimes called M.E or Post Viral Syndrome. it usually follows a virus and there is no cure. Usually it goes away by itself, but others are left with it to some degree for many years or life.

Common symptoms of CFS/ME include:

* muscle and joint pain, but with no swelling
* fatigue that lasts more than 24 hours after exercise or exertion at a level that you usually used to be able to manage without feeling tired
* forgetfulness, memory loss, confusion, or difficulty concentrating
* sleep disturbances – waking up feeling tired or unrested or having trouble getting to sleep
* flu-like symptoms

Chronic fatigue syndrome, sometimes called CFS, is a condition that makes you feel so tired that you can't do all of your normal, daily activities. There are other symptoms too, but being very tired for at least 6 months is the main one.

Many people improve in a year or two and do not have a relapse. some people continue to have severe fatigue and other symptoms for many years.

The disease is not well understood. Most experts now believe that it is a separate illness with its own set of symptoms. But some doctors do not believe this.

There are no tests for CFS. because of this, many people have trouble accepting their disease or getting their friends and family to do so. having people who believe your diagnosis and support you is very important. having a doctor you can trust is critical.

Your tiredness is real. It’s not "in your head." it is your body's reaction to a combination of emotional and physical factors.

(go to webmd.com ) :]

I was diagnosed with Post viral syndrome – or ME/CFS – in 1997.

All types of people at all ages are affected. Severe and debilitating fatigue, painful muscles and joints, disordered sleep, gastric disturbances, poor memory and concentration are the main symptoms that are reported

In many cases, onset is linked to a viral infection, as mine was. Other triggers may include an operation or an accident, although some people experience a slow onset.

I could sleep for 16 hours, wake up and then go back to bed, one night I went up for a bath, fell asleep wrapped in a towel and didn't wake up till the following afternoon.

My gp was useless and kept telling me that I needed to exercise, get out more and he diagnosed depression!

I saw a speciallist at the hospital who diagnosed PVS and the ME Association were invaluable as a source of help and support.

In short it is a bit like having really really bad flu – which is where the term Yuppie flu – came from which is one of the derogatory terms used for this illness.

I still have a high white cell count, am often really tired and have difficulties taking anti biotics all things that seem to affect the condition.

Chronic Faigue's causes are unknown though it is believed to be an immune system problem, especially after a bacterial or virus infection. Though the true cause is unknown.

It is defined as 6 or more months of fatigue and exhaustion with unknown causes. some of the symptoms are forgetfulness, waking up and still feeling tired, sore throat, muscle pain, join pain with swelling, and tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.

It is hard to diagnose, so hopefully this was helpful. it is also often linked with lupus and has similiar symptoms.