As the UK prepares for a potential future outbreak of the H1N1 virus – also known as swine flu – here are some useful tips that highlight how best to protect yourself and others from infection.
What is swine flu and how is it different from ordinary flu? | Top |
Swine flu is a respiratory disease and has some elements of a virus found in pigs. It has been confirmed in a number of countries and it is spreading from human to human.
Pandemic flu is different from ordinary flu because it’s a new flu virus that appears in humans and spreads very quickly from person to person worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared swine flu a pandemic – the first since 1968-70 – on 11 June 2009.
Because the swine flu virus is new, no one has immunity to it and everyone is at risk of catching it. This includes healthy adults as well as older people, young children and those with existing medical conditions.
What are the symptoms? | Top |
Swine flu symptoms include the sudden onset of fever, cough or shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include headache, sore throat, tiredness, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose or loss of appetite.
It is important for us to make sure that you have up-to-date advice. This will include further information on how to access antiviral drugs, should the virus become more widespread in the UK. The Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 will be updated regularly.
How does swine flu spread? | Top |
Flu viruses are made up of tiny particles that can be spread through the droplets that come out of your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. When you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth with a tissue, those droplets can spread and others will be at risk of breathing them in.
If you cough or sneeze into your hand, those droplets and the germs in them are then easily spread from your hand to any hard surfaces that you touch, and they can live on those surfaces for some time. Everyday items such as door handles, computer keyboards, mobile and ordinary phones and the TV remote control are all common surfaces where flu viruses can be found.
If other people touch these surfaces and then touch their faces, the germs can enter their systems and they can become infected. That’s how all cold and flu viruses, including the swine flu virus, are passed on from person to person.
What has the UK government been doing to prepare? | Top |
Our government has been planning for a flu pandemic for a number of years, and the UK plan has been identified as one of the best by the World Health Organization.
The UK has a good stockpile of antiviral drugs (including Tamiflu and Relenza) that could treat more than 33 million people – half the UK population – and there are plans to increase these supplies.
Antiviral drugs are not a cure, but they help people to recover if taken within 48 hours of symptoms developing, by:
- relieving some of the swine flu symptoms
- reducing the length of time you are ill by around one day
- reducing the potential for serious complications, such as pneumonia.
Is there a vaccination I can have? | Top |
There is now a vaccine available. Priority groups will be contacted by their GP to see if they want to be vaccinated. The groups are:
- people older than six months in the seasonal flu vaccine at-risk groups
- all pregnant women
- people who live with those whose immune systems are compromised, such as cancer patients or people with HIV and AIDS.
Front-line health and social care workers will also be offered the vaccine. If you believe you are in one of those groups and have not been offered the vaccine, contact your GP.
The government is keeping under review whether other groups, or the whole population, should be vaccinated. This will depend on how the pandemic evolves.
What can I do to protect myself and others against flu? | Top |
The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to follow good hygiene practices. These will help to slow the spread of the swine flu virus and will be the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself and others from infection.
When you cough or sneeze, it is especially important to follow the rules of good hygiene to prevent the spread of germs:
- Always carry tissues.
- Use clean tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze.
- Bin the tissues after one use.
- Wash your hands with soap and hot water or a sanitiser gel often.
There’s a simple way to remember this:
CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT.
Do I need a face mask? | Top |
You may have seen face masks being given out to the public in other countries on the news. However, the available scientific evidence shows that these basic face masks don’t protect people from becoming infected.
The best way to protect yourself and stop the spread of flu viruses is by using and disposing of tissues and washing your hands.
Remember to CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT.
What if I think I have swine flu? | Top |
If you live in England:
- Stay at home.
- Phone your GP, or call the pandemic flu information line on 0800 1 513 100. The Minicom number is 0800 1 513 200.
If you live in Scotland:
- Stay at home.
- Contact your GP or NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.
If you live in Wales:
- Stay at home.
- Contact your GP.
- Contact NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 for further advice.
If you live in Northern Ireland:
- Stay at home.
- Contact your GP.
- Contact the Northern Ireland Swine Flu Helpline on 0800 0514 142 for further advice.
Note: If you belong to a high-risk group it is particularly important you start taking antivirals as soon as possible. High-risk groups include people with long-term conditions, those over 65, children under five and pregnant women.
What is a 'flu friend'? | Top |
Across the UK, Red Cross volunteers are acting as 'flu friends' by delivering medication to those who have been diagnosed with swine flu symptoms - but don't have family or friends on hand to help.
It's always a good idea to look out for your neighbours, friends and family - and that's especially true at the moment.
Ask your family members, friends or neighbours - especially those you think might be a bit vulnerable - if they need a flu friend. That way, should they become ill, at least they'll know there's someone they can count on.
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