This morning, a beautiful spring day here, in NICE, I had a rewarding interaction with Steve & Jane (a couple from Harrisburg, Pa). They had just alighted from the “SS Windsurf”, a cruiser equipped with sails. I complimented them on NOT having been spooked by the recent influenza scare. I shared with them that aside from Swine flu being an unusual strain of organism, it is nonetheless, another seasonal flu challenge, with which we must cope annually. The usual precautions of hand washing, muffling coughs & sneezes were indicated. But aside from this one need not generally fear augmentation of virulence or mortality.  One major drawback is the fact that the advent of the arrival of this flu did not permit enough time for the laboratory development of the appropriate vaccine.Â
As both members of this couple were health care professionals, our communication was facilitated. As a physician myself, with professional knowledge, I may have been preaching to the choir. This couple had been so in tuned with my point of view that they did not hesitate to take advantage of the very attractive special fare offers in making their reservations for the cruise.
As tour guide/director, my message to a non-medically oriented group would be exactly the same. I would be certain to make the vocabulary adjustments, i.e. avoiding technical terminology, so as to ensure the positive aspect of my message would encourage & support their travel decisions, while enhancing their sense of security.
Thanks for seeking my opinion in an area in which my medical background coincides with my desire to be an effective tour guide.
Hope to see you guys one of these days, Ted & Randy.
Frederick  C., M.D.