Michael Hairsine has no idea how it happened. He hadn't been to Mexico. He's just been living the life of a typical college sophomore at Loyal University in Chicago. But according to his doctor he's likely got H1N1.

After feeling allergy symptoms Saturday he woke up Sunday in a bad way. Pounding headache, chills, cough, chest pains. He went to a doctor on campus who told him to go to the ER. A doctor there put him on Tamiflu and told him to go home and stay away from everyone.

Michael's mother went to pick him up, brought him home to Ellisville and is the only one having any kind of contact with him and that contact is limited.

I talked to Michael on the phone this afternoon. He says he's feeling better but knows he can't get out until Monday at the earliest. He misses running everyday and playing basketball with his friends but knows for his health and many others' this self-imposed quarantine is the way it has to be.

I talked to St. Louis County health officials about this probable case. They are well aware of it and if it turns out Michael does indeed have H1N1 his mother, stepfather and younger brothers could be taking Tamiflu since they're all in the same house. So far, no one else in the household is showing symptoms of what sounds like a hellish affliction.

Sounds like Michael's going to be okay, though. Still, I'm surprised he took the time to talk to me and other members of the media. Perhaps it helps pass the time between studying, watching TV and naps.

Hang in there, Michael.

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