Oh no! Swine flu hits the Caps

October 29, 7:22 AMWashington Capitals ExaminerMichael Hoffman

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Quintin Laing has swine flu

I guess this is why the Capitals had us use hand sanitizer before walking into the locker room after the last game against the Flyers. From the Washington Times:

Forward Quintin Laing was sent home before the team's morning skate Tuesday, and a team spokesman revealed Wednesday that Laing has been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus.

"He's currently at home being treated and is isolated," team spokesman Nate Ewell said. "No one else on the team is currently showing any symptoms.

The Caps and Quintin Laing aren't alone in dealing with this problem as Edmonton defenseman Ladislav Smid, Colorado goalie Peter Budaj and Doug Weight of the Islanders also had bouts with the swine.

Yet despite what some in the media may be telling you, the good news is swine flu in most cases for adults, (the flu is tougher on kids and the elderly) really isn't much worse than a seasonal flu. I actually had a roomate who had it who told me the coughing was bad and that the initial symptoms were very strong, (he had a fever of 103) but hey he's back and just as annoying as ever! I did leave the house for a week, as swine flu is easily passed on, so the Capitals are taking exactly the right step in making sure Laing gets some time away from the team.

And two weeks down the line, the numbers game rather than swine flu will likely be a bigger hindrance to Laing staying on the roster. Tomas Fleischmann is back to practicing with the team, and Boyd Gordon will likely be back to full health by that time. As for the issue of swine flu, well everyone is different, but 38-year-old Doug Weight only missed three games with swine flu, and for most adults the symptoms  don't last beyond one week.  

So good luck to Laing, a tough player who never hesitates to sacrifice his body on the ice. The best joke I heard yesterday was from a commentator who twittered that "Laing got swine flu because he blocked the shot."  Nice!