Information & advice

National Pandemic Flu Service closes at 1am on 11th February 2010

This Service was launched in July 2009 to offer telephone and online assessment of symptoms for people worried they may have swine flu and‚ where necessary‚ to provide access to anti-viral medicines. There has been a steady reduction in the estimated number of swine flu cases and so the service is no longer needed.

The Government continues to monitor the spread of the swine flu virus and‚ should it be necessary‚ the Pandemic Flu Service can be up and running again within seven days.

What to do if you think you might have swine flu on or after 11th February 2010

You should stay at home and contact your GP surgery if you develop a fever (over 38ºC / 100.4ºF) and have two or more of the following  flu-like symptoms:

• unusual tiredness
• headache
• a runny nose
• sore throat
• shortness of breath or cough
• loss of appetite
• aching muscles
• diarrhoea or vomiting

Your GP will be able to assess you and‚ if necessary‚ issue an anti-viral authorisation voucher. Your nominated ‘flu friend’ will be able to get anti-viral medication for you from a local anti-viral collection point. Your ‘flu friend’ should take proof of their identity when they collect antiviral medication for you. If your condition suddenly gets worse or is still getting worse after seven days (five days for a child) you should call your GP again.

For up-to-date information about swine flu:

• visit www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu

          OR

• call  the Swine Flu Information line on 0800 1 513 513 and listen to the recorded message

Older people and swine flu vaccination

Healthy people over the age of 65 did not appear to be as susceptible to the virus as younger people‚ and appear to have some immunity to it. However‚ older and frailer people are more likely to develop complications from any type of flu.

As a result‚ adults with conditions making them more vulnerable to becoming seriously ill if they contract swine flu have been offered the swine flu vaccine by their GP practice.

Conditions that make you more vulnerable include:

• chronic lung diseases such as COPD
• chronic heart disease
• chronic kidney or liver disease 
• diabetes treated with insulin or medication 
• conditions that affect the nervous system such as Parkinson’s disease
• some treatments for cancer that make your immune system less effective also make you more vulnerable

Carers with ongoing responsibility for looking after vulnerable people with long-term health conditions have also been offered the opportunity to be vaccinated.

If you fall into one of these groups but have not been invited by your GP practice for a vaccination‚ you should contact them. It is still important to be vaccinated‚ even though the number of cases of swine flu is currently falling.

Healthy adults‚ regardless of their age‚ have not been invited for a vaccination. Should this situation change and the Department of Health feel it important to vaccinate the wider public‚ it will issue new advice.

Protect yourself from infection

Following good hygiene practice is the single most important thing to protect yourself and others from catching the virus. This means:

• Always cover your nose and mouth with a paper hankie whenever you cough or sneeze
• Bin the hankie after one use
• Wash your hands with soap and hot water regularly‚ particularly after using a hankie. This prevents the virus spreading to things you and other people touch such as telephones and door handles
• Clean surfaces you touch regularly such as door handles to prevent the virus spreading

Things you can do in advance

Things you can do to prepare should you become ill include:

• Keep a small stock of basic foods in the cupboard or freezer in case you can’t shop as regularly as usual
• Keep paracetamol-based cold remedies in the house
• Keep a thermometer handy so you can check your temperature if necessary
• Order repeat prescription for your usual medicines in plenty of time
• Identify one or more ‘flu friends’ – neighbours‚ relatives or friends who can keep an eye on you‚ collect medicines or go shopping for you‚ if you are ill

More information

The NHS Choices website contains a wide ranging information about swine flu‚ its symptoms and questions and answers about swine flu and vaccination.

We are not responsible for the content of external internet sites.