A clinical trial is taking place in San Francisco for HIV+ people who are exhibiting flu symptoms in which they can qualify for free in-home doctor visits. Quest Clinical Studies, Conant Medical Group and Adamas Pharmaceuticals are testing a triple combination antiviral drug (TCAD) therapy for influenza. If you or someone you know has HIV and is exhibiting 100-degree or higher fever in addition to fatigue and other symptoms, you should call 1-888-5-HIV-FLU to see if you qualify. In addition to receiving home treatment, study subjects will have all their treatment, including prescriptions and lab costs, covered, and will be compensated for time and travel. more ›

We don't know the larger wisdom behind this effort, but several flu shot kiosks have been set up at SFO dispensing H1N1 vaccinations to those 18 and older for the reasonable (by airport standards) fee of $35. Even though most reports we've read say that viral immunity doesn't begin for ten days after the shot, the dispensary clearly believes that their effort will generate both comfort among travelers and quick profits. Visit one on your way out of town, in case you didn't get to it beforehand, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, 8 to 1 on Saturdays, and 11 to 7 on Sundays. more ›

Santa Clara County declared a local emergency yesterday, setting aside $500k for free clinics, which will administer the swine flu vaccine to thousands of uninsured residents when the vaccine becomes available in mid-October. more ›

The first batch of H1N1 flu vaccines, some 3.4 million doses, will come in the form of a nasal spray from a company called MedImmune. We couldn't be more pleased about this because we hate needles, and we're total hypochondriacs. The U.S. has ordered a total of 195 million doses of the vaccine and pretty much everyone is encouraged to get vaccinated, beginning with health care workers, the immuno-compromised, and anyone with respiratory ailments. Get your flu shots/nasal sprays, kids! We fear it's going to be an ugly winter. more ›

In our continuing will-we-live-or-will-we-die H1N1 (swine) flu coverage, we just got word that Mayor Gavin Newsom is handing out free H1N1 shots. According to the Mayor's Office, "San Francisco will be organizing free H1N1 (swine) flu clinics throughout the City and County of San Francisco, utilizing a combination of public schools, private schools and community centers." The first shipment of the vaccine, 100,000 doses, will arrive in late October. "This initial shipment will be available first to those in groups who are at highest risk for more severe disease. But eventually, everyone who wants protection from H1N1 will be able to get it," said Newsom. Those at high risk are "pregnant women, children 6 months to age 24, care givers of children younger than 6 months and emergency responders and health care workers." Go here for more information. more ›