World Health Organization WHO guidance and updates on swine flu


NHS Choices advice and swine flu updates

Department of Health pandemic flu information

Foreign Office swine flu advice by country for those traveling abroad

Swine Flu Advice

There have been a small number of reported deaths from swine flu. For most people swine flu remains a mild illness and the advice according to the Department of Health and the NHS is that people should start to feel better after a few days, without needing to go to their GP or hospital accident and emergency department.

At Sanctum Consultants, although we are unable to provide medical advice to individuals, who may be suffering from swine flu or suspect that they are infected with the H1N1 virus, we are aware that members of the public, remain worried and concerned that they or their family might be ill, or get ill and want quick access to clear practical advice.

Although, there is no cause for widespread alarm, some people may be more susceptible to the swine flu virus. If you, or your child, have flu-like symptoms it is important that you talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, very young, over 65 or have long-term conditions such as asthma. The under-5s and 5-14 year olds are the age groups most affected. Even if you don't fall into any of these categories and are feeling very unwell, or your instincts tell you this illness feels different to how your body normally reacts to other illnesses, or if you suddenly have a high temperature, then you should not hesitate in seeking medical advice.

Remember that you don't need to have all the symptoms on the check list to have the virus and that you or family members and work colleagues may have different symptoms to each other or may not all feel as ill as each other, depending on your general fitness levels and heath.

The typical symptoms are:

sudden fever (a high body temperature of over 38C or 100.4F) and
sudden cough.

Other symptoms may include:

headache
tiredness
chills
aching muscles
limb or joint pain
diarrhoea or stomach upset
sore throat
runny nose
sneezing and
loss of appetite.

If you are unsure or suspect that you are suffering from the virus then you can use the NHS flu symptom checker to help you make a decision on whether you need to access further medical advice or assistance.

The National Pandemic Flu Service launched on 23 July 2009 , includes a dedicated website and call centres which will quickly be able to tell you if you have swine flu. If you do, you will be given an authorisation number that a ‘flu friend’ – a friend or relative who does not have swine flu – can use to pick up antivirals from local antiviral collection points. The service is experiencing high demand, in the meantime if you have any concerns:

You can call the Swine Flu information line on 0800 1 513 513

If you remain concerned call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or call your GP for advice.

If you are having difficulty contacting NHS Direct or your own GP then you may wish to find out about other NHS services in your area including GP's hospitals and pharmacies using the NHS service finder at: www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/

If you continue to experience difficulties in contacting your GP or NHS Direct then you may wish to consider contacting your Local Primary Care Trust to ask for advice. You can find details of your local Primary Care Trust at: www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/pages/primarycaretrustlisting.aspx

Do not go to hospital unless you are seriously ill.

Simple, basic hygiene methods are still the best defence against the illness. Adults, children workers and commuters-can all follow good hygiene practices that will reduce the risk of catching or passing on the virus. The Government advice: CATCH IT. BIN IT. KILL IT is widely available in leaflet form, through infomercials and in the press. Schools, workplaces and business can download copies of the leaflet to help them manage and contain the spread of the virus at:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Swineflu/News/

Or you can download the leaflets here:

Swine flu leaflet

Swine flu leaflet large print

Swine flu leaflet easy read

Good basic hygiene steps to prevent the spread of the virus include:

Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.

Always use a tissue or handkerchief when sneezing or to wipe your noise.

Make sure that you dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully

Maintain good basic hygiene, by washing hands frequently especially after sneezing or blowing your noise . Use soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.

If you don't have ready access to hand washing facilities, use a hand sanitizing gel or anti bacterial wipes (available at most supermarkets and pharmacies).

Clean hard surfaces frequently using a normal cleaning product.

If you are feeling unwell or other family members are unwell and you are due to go on holiday please consider seeking medical advice before going abroad. You may wish to consider changing you holiday plans.

If you or family members are feeling unwell; do not go to work and do let your employer know, so they can take appropriate steps. Ask if you can work from home and use conference calls or emails to keep up to date with important deadlines. If it is not possible to work from home, explain the situation to your employer who should have risk assessment and other procedures in place.

If your child is ill, do not take them to school and let the school know, so that they can inform other parents and take appropriate steps.

Use Internet shopping for groceries or ask a flu pal or friend (neighbour, relative or friend) to get you some basic provisions.

Keep a check on elderly people or those living alone, or in isolated places, even if they are not elderly.

Don't panic, there are sufficient supplies of antiviral drugs and a vaccine is being developed.

If you do get ill, rest, take painkillers or other medication prescribed by your GP and monitor your symptoms. If you see signs of rapid deterioration in your health seek urgent medical treatment.

Hotels, guest houses, camp sites, bed and breakfast establishments, schools, nurseries, cinemas, clubs, bars and any other type of establishments frequented by large numbers of people, should consider whether basic hygiene measures are adequate and if they can take extra steps, to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Schools and nurseries can download the Germstopper leaflet and posters from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA) to encourage good hygiene practices in children. Or you can download the leaflets here:

Germ Stopper poster (Boy)

Germ Stopper poster (Girl)

Your Council's Environmental Health Department should be able to provide advice and reassurance or alternatively you can speak to one of our experienced Environmental Health Professionals for advice on hygiene practices, risk assessments and contingency plans to help you reduce, the risk of illness to your staff and customers. For more detailed advice or to book a workplace swine flu Risk Assessment contact us to discuss your requirements.