THE family of a young man who caught the Influenza A (H1N1) virus has been rocked by a flurry of online fuss slamming him for acting irresponsibly by riding on the MRT despite having flu symptoms.

The 18-year-old, who returned on an Emirates flight from Melbourne last Monday night, checked himself into a hotel on arrival as a precaution as he had mild flu symptoms then. He had also been in contact with two H1N1 suspects in Australia.

But after a general practitioner told him he probably had only the seasonal flu, and also being told by the Health Ministry's ambulance hotline that he should see his GP again before calling for the ambulance, the youth decided it was safe enough for him to take the train when he next visited the doctor.

Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.