Swine Flu

Latest Update on Swine Flu from NHS Cambridgeshire

This information will be updated regularly so please check back or visit the Health Protection Agency's website at www.hpa.org.uk or NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk

What is Swine flu?

Swine flu (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine influenza happen regularly in pigs but people do not normally get swine influenza. However, human infections can and do happen. Typically human cases of swine influenza happen in people who are around pigs but it is possible for swine influenza viruses to spread from person to person.

At the moment there is still a low risk of contracting Swine flu. Early indications are that most cases outside of Mexico the symptoms of this illness are mild.

If you or a member of your family has a fever or high temperature (over 38°C/100.4°F) and two or more of the following symptoms, you may have swine flu:

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

Checking symptoms

It makes sense to have a working thermometer at home, as an increase in temperature is one of the main symptoms. If you are unsure how to use a thermometer, advice is available on NHS Choices at: www.nhs.uk

If you are still concerned you may have swine flu, stay at home and check your symptoms using the online National Pandemic Flu Service: www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu.

Call your GP directly if:

you have a serious existing illness that weakens your immune system, such as cancer
you are pregnant
you have a sick child under one
your condition suddenly gets much worse or
your condition is still getting worse after seven days (five for a child).

The National Pandemic Flu Service is a new online service that will assess your symptoms and, if needed, provide an authorisation number that can be used to collect antiviral medication from a local collection point. For those who do not have internet access, the same service can be accessed by telephone on:

Telephone: 0800 1 513 100
Minicom: 0800 1 513 200

Below are the key steps that people need to take:

Everyone can take simple measures to prevent infection. In particular covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and washing hands regularly. Anyone who does develop flu like symptoms should go home and contact the National Pandemic Flu Service: (www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu) and phoneline (0800 1 513 100 or 0800 1 513 200 (Textphone))

The Department of Health has started a public health information campaign – following Catch It, Bin It, Kill It, as well as door drops to all houses in the UK and messaging at airports and railway stations. The national recorded information line is operating: 0800 1 513 513.

Leaflets giving information about swine flu and advice on how to prevent its spread have been delivered to every house hold in the UK. The leaflets advise people to set up a network of family, friends or relatives who can pick up medicine and other supplies