Swine Flu

Swine Flu information

The second wave of the swine flu pandemic in England is now over and the National Pandemic Flu Service has been stood down.

If you think you have swine flu please stay at home and contact your GP by phone. Alternatively you can go to www.nhs.uk| or phone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

GPs will be able to issue a voucher for antivirals if this is what you need. Please ask someone who does not have flu to go and collect your antivirals from one of the designated pharmacies in eastern and coastal Kent identified by your GP.

If cases of swine flu start to increase, the flu service can be up and running again within seven days.

Vaccinations

The vaccination programme will continue and it remains extremely important for those in priority groups and children aged over six months and under five years to have the vaccine.

Experts advise that swine flu is likely to be the main flu virus in the 2010 flu season. The 2010 season may start earlier than usual and there may be outbreaks sparked by travellers returning from the southern hemisphere where the flu season is now beginning.

If you are in one of the priority groups and you have not yet been vaccinated, please ask your GP practice for a date when you can go in and be vaccinated.

The following groups have been prioritised for vaccination:

Individuals aged six months and up to 65 years in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups
Pregnant women
Household contacts of people with compromised immune systems, for example people in regular contact with patients on treatment for cancer
People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups
Healthy children aged over six months and under five years.

For the latest information about swine flu visit NHS Choices|.

Symptoms

People who have two of the following symptoms and a temperature of 38° C or above may have swine flu.

The typical symptoms are:

sudden fever (a high body temperature of 38C/100.4F or above)
sudden cough.

Other symptoms may include:

headache
tiredness
chills
aching muscles
limb or joint pain
diarrhoea or stomach upset
sore throat
runny nose
sneezing
loss of appetite.

Good hygiene

Preventing the spread of germs is the single most effective way to slow the spread of diseases such as swine flu. You should always

· Ensure everyone washes their hands regularly with soap and water

· Clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs

· Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

· Place used tissues in a bin as soon as possible

Further information

NHS Choices, www.nhs.uk|, has health related information and advice on swine flu.
Go to Directgov| for essential cross-government information on swine flu, including latest advice on travel, schools and other public services
Go to BusinessLink| for essential information to help businesses deal with the effects of swine flu