Swine flu
Got flu? Stay at home
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
If you experience a sudden fever, cough or shortness of breath or have a headache, sore throat, tiredness, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose or loss of appetite, you may have swine flu. For most people this is a mild illness and you should start to feel better after a few days.
What you can do
The most important thing you can do to help stop the spread of the disease is to follow these simple steps to help prevent catching colds and flu based on good respiratory and hand hygiene.
- always use a tissue to catch your sneezes
- throw away used tissues where germs can linger
- regularly wash your hands
What do I do if I think I have swine flu?
If you think you may have swine flu, which means that you've been to an affected area, been in contact with somebody who's had swine flu and you have flu-like symptoms please stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and take over-the-counter flu remedies to help relieve the symptoms.
If you feel very unwell
- Stay at home, contact your GP by telephone.
- If antivirals are necessary your GP will provide you with a prescription.
- As from 1 April 2010 antivirals are no longer available free of charge from the national stockpile. Normal charging arrangements for prescriptions apply.
- Please do not go to your doctor's surgery or A&E if you think you have swine flu.
What happens if I have the swine flu virus?
If you have swine flu you will be offered antivirals. Many people will be able to recover from swine flu without the need for antivirals and may therefore choose not to seek treatment.
What's the advice for pregnant women?
Most pregnant women with swine flu will only get mild symptoms, but pregnancy brings a higher risk of complications. Bearing these risks in mind, at present mothers-to-be are advised to continue normal activities such as going to work, travelling on public transport, attending events and family gatherings. But they are advised to take the following steps to reduce their risk of infection and complications:
observe good hand hygiene (frequent use of soap and water or sanitiser); wherever possible, avoid contact with someone who is known or suspected to have swine 'flu; if they have 'flu-like symptoms, to make early contact with your GP who may advise treatment with antiviral drugs.
If in doubt, pregnant women should seek advice from their GP.
What's the advice for families with small children worried they may have swine flu?
The key characteristic of swine flu is fever. The first thing parents should do is check if their child has a temperature over 38 degree celsius.
If their child has a high temperature and any one of the following symptoms:
tiredness, headache, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea, aching muscles, or limb and joint pain
they should contact their GP.
Where to find out more
We've included links to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Health Protection Agency (HPA), Department of Health (DH), Foreign and Commonwealth Office and NHS Choices websites. Just click on the one that you want to open from the links below.
