Worried about Swine Flu?
What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a new form of influenza (flu). Flu generally lasts from three to five days and often may take a further few days before you're feeling back to normal. The most significant symptoms are the sudden onset of fever and a cough. Other symptoms include fatigue/tiredness, sore throat, runny nose, limb/joint pain and headache. Diarrhoea and vomiting have been sen in some cases of swine flu.
People are most infectious after they first develop the symptoms of flu, and they can continue to be infectious for several days - typically for upto five days in adults and seven in children.
What can we do?
• Have plenty to drink - you lose a lot of fluid during a fever
• Rest - preferably by staying in bed
• Taking paracetamol or aspirin will reduce fever and muscle aches. (Note that aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age, unless on the advice of a doctor. Note that pregnant women should not take ibuprofen but can take paracetamol and codeine. Your local pharmacist will be able to advise you.)
• Avoid smoking and alcohol
• A course of antibiotics will have no effect against the flu virus but may be prescribed for the bacterial infections that sometimes follow or complicate flu
What can we do to protect others from catching flu?
• The single most effective thing you can do to protect others from catching flu and to slow the spread of the virus is to stay at home until you are well and follow good hygiene practices
• Use clean tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
• Bin the tissue after one use
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water or a sanitiser gel often
• Use a good cleaner/disinfectant to wash/wipe surfaces down, particularly those that are frequently touched by hands - hand contact areas
• Public areas should be assessed and high risk areas given greater importance when cleaning is carried out
SWINE FLU INFORMATION
0800 1 513 513
www.nhs.uk
www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu
