Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Pedro Morales has revealed he is suffering from swine flu and must remain in isolation at home in Chile until he recovers.

The 24-year-old joined the Croatian club on a five-year deal from Universidad de Chile last summer, and had been due to return to Zagreb next week.

Although Morales is recovering well at home, he admits it has been a frightening experience.

"The doctors told me the H1N1 virus was not so serious," he told La Tercera. ''Fortunately it was detected in time and, thanks to the treatment, I'll be fine soon. However, I was scared.

"On Monday, the fever reached 37.5 degrees. The next day, it reached 38.5 and I went to the hospital, but nothing was diagnosed.

"Yesterday, I went back, as the fever reached 39.5 degrees and I was quite bad. The medicine I was prescribed was not working. I also had a headache and body pains.

"When they found out I had swine flu, I was given Tamiflu and some other medicines which are working. I feel much better compared to a few ago.

"I was told I should be alone in a room though so I could not pass on the illness to my family, as a brother of mine also contracted the flu.

"Fortunately, the flu was detected in time, but the flight to Croatia takes 24 hours and the doctor obviously told me I was unable to fly."