Swine flu parties are as wrong as they sound

Swine flu parties that intentionally expose healthy people to illness are dangerous propositions, health officials say.

For months, social networking sites have seen light-hearted and some serious discussion about "flu parties," which use exposure to the virus as a way to build immunity to the H1N1 virus.

Participants vary, from college students looking for an excuse to party to parents of school-age children to those weary of what they say is disease hysteria.

It's true that your immunity increases once you have been exposed to a virus, and that's the premise behind vaccinations. But catching swine flu can be dangerous and even deadly for some individuals, said Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

"We can't predict which person will have the worst time with this influenza," Schuchat said. "We don't think these flu parties are a good idea."

Since April, 556 Americans have died from swine flu complications, including nine in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk Counties.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone with flu-like symptoms - fever, sore throat and cough - avoid contact with others until 24 hours after the fever goes away. While swine flu is mild for most and runs its course in about three days, pregnant women and those with asthma are among people who could be hit harder.

"You could expose others," said Tony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Swine flu has generated widespread attention, primarily because it hit worldwide, the strain is new and its impact is unknown. However, individuals should deal with it much like seasonal flu, said Steve Huard, spokesman for the Hillsborough County Health Department.

Prevention means frequent hand washing, coughing into your sleeve and other hygienic practices. Not party planning, he said.

"Would you do this in a typical flu year? Probably not," Huard said. "So why would you do it now?"