Swine Flu - Latest

Swine flu was diagnosed in the UK soon after it was first identified in Mexico in the spring of 2009. The World Health Organisation announced a pandemic alert when its effects were recorded across much of the globe. In the UK pandemic flu strategies had already been drawn up by NHS organisations. These were now activated, including the distribution of antiviral medication to suspect cases, along with public information campaigns. UK flu-like activity peaked in the summer of 2009.

Vaccination of at-risk groups and frontline health and social care staff began in the early autumn of 2009 and continued well into 2010, by then including healthy children aged six months to under five years.

 

By the end of 2009, more than 300 UK deaths had been confirmed as linked to the H1N1 swine flu virus. Worldwide, the death toll at the end of 2009 stood at more than 12,500. The World Health Organisation continues to monitor the global situation and publish reports. The virus is considered to be active in most parts of the world to differing degrees, partly influenced by seasonal factors. While the symptoms are mild for many, it can still lead to fatalities in certain circumstances.

Swine flu symptoms

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

Those in the following at-risk groups should contact their GP at the first sign of likely symptoms. They are people with diabetes, heart, circulation and lung diseases, who remain more at risk of further serious infections in the event of catching flu. The same warning applies to patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years, pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, and children under five (but over six months). Patients in the early stages of the disease may be treated with antiviral medication, where applicable, and they will be advised how to obtain it.

The symptoms of swine flu are very similar to seasonal flu. However, seasonal flu and swine flu are different and require separate vaccinations.

Vaccination

The threat from swine flu has not disappeared in the UK or elsewhere. While symptoms remain mild for many, there are some people for whom it soon becomes a very serious condition. The best form of prevention is vaccination. It protects against the infection almost immediately, and offers protection against a further recurrence of the infection for quite a long time. The vaccine used in the UK is fully tested and free to those in any of the following groups:-

• if you are six months of age or above and you have a long-term health condition such as chronic lung, heart, kidney or liver disease
  
• you are pregnant (the vaccine can be given at any stage of pregnancy)
  
• your immune system is compromised because of a disease or treatment for a disease
  
• you live in the same house as someone whose immune system is compromised
  
• a healthy child aged 6 months and up to five years

If you fit into one of these groups but have not already had the vaccine, contact your GP for further advice.

Swine flu advice line

The Department of Health has set up a swine flu information line, offering tips on how to protect yourself against the virus, including vaccination advice. Call 0800 1 513 513 and listen to the menu options. If you have flu-like symptoms, but cannot phone your GP, such as out of hours, call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for an initial assessment and advice.

Please note: The National Pandemic Flu Service, which offered online and call-centre assessments and explained how to obtain antivirals, when needed, was suspended on 11 February 2010 following a period of low flu-like activity. This service can be re-activated, if there is a significant increase in the rate of infection.

Good hand hygiene

Good hand hygiene reduces the spread of swine flu and other viruses. Always carry tissues and use them when coughing or sneezing, dispose of them in a bin, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap or a hand cleansing gel. The easy way to remember this is the phrase: catch it, bin it, kill it.

Questions and answers

For information on swine flu and vaccination in English and other languages, click on the underlined link:-

 Swine flu vaccination information in English
 Swine flu vaccination information in Arabic
 Swine flu vaccination information in Gujarati
 Swine flu vaccination information in Hindi
 Swine flu vaccination information in Polish
 Swine flu vaccination information in Punjabi
 Swine flu vaccination information in Somali
 Swine flu vaccination information in Urdu