Information on Swine flu

The UK is experiencing the anticipated second wave of swine flu and the swine flu vaccination programme is getting underway.

Please Note: The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against swine flu. If you are usually advised to have a seasonal flu vaccination you should have it. You may be offered the swine flu vaccine as well as described below. 

National Pandemic Flu Service

The Service is designed to assess any flu-like symptoms you have and if required‚ provide a unique authorisation number to allow a nominated flu friend to collect anti-viral medicine from a local collection point. Your flu friend will need your authorisation number and proof of their identity when they collect anti-viral medicine for you. If you haven’t identified a ‘flu friend’ to collect your anti-virals for you or can’t think of anyone you could ask‚ please let them know.

If you develop a fever (38ºC / 100.4ºF) and have two or more flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose‚ unusual tiredness‚ headache‚ aching muscles‚ loss of appetite and coughing‚ you should stay at home and contact the Pandemic Flu Service.

• through the Direct.gov website
  Or
• by calling 0800 1 513 100 or minicom 0800 1 513 200 if you do not have internet access. A confidential interpretation service is available if English is not your first language.

This Service is only available in England but if you live in Northern Ireland‚ Scotland or Wales‚ follow the DirectGov link above or listen to the recorded message on the Swine Flu Information line on: 0800 1 513 513. This will tell you how to find out about swine flu information and treatment advice in your area.

You should call your GP directly rather than use the Flu Service if you develop flu-like symptoms and are pregnant‚ you have a sick child under one year old or have a serious chronic health condition. The same advice applies if your condition suddenly gets worse or is still getting worse after seven days (five days for a child).

Older people

Older people do not appear to be as susceptible to the swine flu virus as younger people. However older and frailer people are more likely to develop complications from any type of flu. They may also have conditions that make them more vulnerable to becoming seriously ill if they contract swine flu. These include chronic lung diseases such as COPD‚ chronic heart disease‚ chronic kidney or liver disease‚ diabetes‚ 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.

If you have any of these health conditions and experience flu-like symptoms the advice is to call your GP for advice rather than the Flu Service.

Watch out for vulnerable neighbours
If you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours‚ please check on them. They may need help but be reluctant to ask for it.

Swine flu vaccination

Swine flu vaccination has started with the first doses being offered to those with the greatest risk of becoming seriously ill if they get the virus. If you fall into one of the at risk groups‚ you will be contacted by your GP practice once they receive their allocation of vaccine‚ which could take several weeks.

A leaflet 'Swine Flu Vaccination: what you need to know' is available on the NHS Choices website.

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‚ quick questions and answers and daily updates on the pandemic in the UK.

The Direct.gov website includes swine flu related information such as latest advice on travel and public services.

Swine flu Information Line 0800 1 513 513 (this is a recorded message that is regularly updated).

Earlier this year the Government distributed a  booklet: Important Information About Swine Flu‚  to every household in the UK. If you need this booklet in Braille‚ large print‚ audio or another language‚ you can order it  by calling 0800 1 513 513. You can also download versions in other languages from theNHS Choices website.