To Swine or Not To Swine

CNN anchor denies rumors

By Anne Schroeder Mullins | 9/24/09 -- 5:05 PM EDT


Anderson Cooper told his CNN team Thursday that he does not have swine flu, according to an email obtained by POLITICO.

"Just to address any concerns, I did not have swine flu, despite Sanjay's raising the possibility last night," he began.

"While I did have a bad cough, I was checked by military medical personnel in Kandahar. My temperature was completely normal, and I experienced none of the flu like symptoms sanjay experienced. I raised the possibility of swine flu with the medical personnel and was assured that what I had was the normal bad cough many get in the Kandahar region. They call it the Kandahar krup. There is a large amount of dust and even excrement in the air, which often causes infections. I responded to antibiotic treatment, which I would not have if I had swine flu. I also had an inner ear infection which is still being treated and has prevented me from flying. But I was assured before returning to work that I was not contagious. My cough sounded bad, but it was mostly dust and debris in my lungs."