If you think you've got flu stay at home
For most people swine flu is much like seasonal flu and is a relatively mild illness.
The symptoms of swine flu are also similar to seasonal flu and can include:
• Fever (raised temperature);
• Cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, sneezing, runny nose;
• Headache, tiredness, aching muscles or loss of appetite.
If you have these symptoms, the best thing you can do is stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and you will usually start to feel better after a few days. Over-the-counter flu remedies can also help to relieve the symptoms.
Staying at home will help you to feel better and will help others by not spreading the virus.
However if the person with flu symptoms is pregnant, under 5, over 65, or has a long-term condition such as asthma or diabetes, then it is important to get medical advice by ringing their GP.
Please do not got to your GP surgery, to A and E or to a Walk-in-Centre if you think you have flu. Instead ring your GP for advice or check your symptoms
Helen Atkinson, Associate Director of Public Health at NHS Surrey said:
“Many people will be able to recover from swine flu, just like seasonal flu, without the need for antivirals and may choose not to seek treatment or advice from their GP at all.
“Of course anyone who has the virus will still be offered antivirals if needed and this decision will be made by their clinician.
“Remember, when you’re out and about, good hygiene remains the key - whether you're at work, socialising with friends or travelling on public transport. And if you’ve got children, try to get them into good hand washing habits too, especially before eating.”
Our advice to you
We would encourage you to go about your daily life as usual but also to think about what we can all do to limit the spread of the virus.
The best way you can protect yourself and your family is to:
• wash your hands regularly - this will reduce the chance of transferring any type of infection
• Catch it, bin it, kill it - cover your nose and mouth when sneezing. Use a tissue and dispose of it immediately to kill any germs.
If you have flu-like symptoms, please stay at home and contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or phone your GP or go online and check your symptoms at www.nhs.uk. If you would like more information about the virus please call the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513 or see www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Patients in any of the following groups are advised to ring their GP for advice if they have flu-like symptoms:
• Chronic lung disease
• Chronic heart disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic liver disease
• Chronic neurological disease
• Immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Patients who have had drug treatment for asthma in the past three years
• Pregnant women
• People aged 65 years and older
• Children under 5 years old.
Source: Surrey PCT |
