Swine FluWhat is Swine Flu?
The A/H1N1 influenza virus (Swine Flu) is the term being used to describe a respiratory illness which has been reported in parts of Mexico and which is now being reported from other countries in the world, including the UK.
The main symptoms of Swine Flu are sudden onset of fever, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties. Other symptoms can include headache, sore throat, tiredness, aching chills, sneezing, runny nose or loss of appetite.
If during this period you develop a feverish illness accompanied by one or more of cough, sore throat, headache and muscle aches, then you should contact your GP by phone or seek advice from the NHS Direct (0845 46 47).
What measures can I take to prevent infection?
It is always good practice to follow respiratory and hand hygiene such as:
- Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
- Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
- Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.
- Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
- Helping your children follow this advice.
If you have returned from an affected area and have flu like symptoms, stay at home, phone your GP or NHS Direct Wales and you will be assessed and receive treatment if necessary. Do not go into your GP surgery or Accident and Emergency department unless you are seriously ill, as you may spread the illness to others.
Please see the useful websites and telephone numbers listed below:
- National Swine Flu Information Line: 0800 1 513 513 for recorded information
- NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 for health advice
• www.nphs.wales.nhs.uk
• www.hpa.org.uk
• www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/article.aspx?name=swinefluQA
• www.wales.gov.uk/topics/health/news/mexicanflu09/?lang=en
• www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/home.cfm?orgid=719
• www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htm
• www.nhs.uk/conditions/pandemic-flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx
• www.who.int/en/
Symptoms of Swine Flu
The symptoms of swine flu are broadly the same as those of ordinary flu, but may be more severe and cause more serious complications.
The typical symptoms are:
- Sudden fever
- Sudden cough
Other symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Chills
- Aching muscles
- Limb or joint pain
- Diarrhoea or stomach upset
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Loss of appetite
- Most people who have contracted swine flu recover within a week and do not suffer complications, even without being given antiviral medication.
However, experts point out that as this is a new virus, its behaviour cannot be predicted with certainty.
Swine flu is different from seasonal flu in that most serious illnesses have been in younger age groups, as happened in all three 20th-century influenza pandemics.
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