What you can do about swine flu

Buckinghamshire Primary Care Trust is encouraging all of us to help reduce the impact of the influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) virus in Buckinghamshire. Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of seasonal influenza – usually a feverish illness accompanied by one or more of cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache and muscle and joint aches. If you have these symptoms:

• Stay at home, to limit contact with others
• In particular, please do not visit your GP surgery, hospital, first aid unit or out-of-hours GP service, as you may spread germs to others and put unnecessary strain on the system
• Check your symptoms by calling NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or visit the website
• You will be given advice on the next steps to take if you are diagnosed with the virus.

Flu friends

It's a good idea to choose a 'flu friend' – someone in your local community who could pick up a GP's prescription or do your shopping to save you from having to venture out if you catch flu. If you are able-bodied and mobile, please consider becoming a 'flu friend' to a vulnerable person near you. There's more information about how to become a flu friend on the Trust's website.

Prevention

Dr Jane O'Grady, Director of Public Health at Buckinghamshire PCT, explains that flu is usually spread from one person to another when an infected person has symptoms (i.e. coughing and sneezing). The single most important thing we can all do to help reduce the impact of swine flu is to make sure we have good basic respiratory and hand hygiene …

• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
• Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
• Maintain good basic hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face or to other people
• Clean hard surfaces such as door handles frequently using a normal cleaning product
• Make sure your children follow this advice.

More information

There is a new dedicated website and phoneline 0800 1 513 100 (or 0800 1 513 200 Textphone) for people to check their symptoms and get a unique number which will give them access to antivirals if necessary.

See also advice on Tamiflu on this website.

Swine flu in Bucks

In line with the national picture, Buckinghamshire has seen an increase in the numbers of people suffering from swine flu, but it is important to see this in context and not to panic.

All confirmed cases in Buckinghamshire have been relatively mild and are responding well to treatment at home. This reflects the national picture which indicates that the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of seasonal (winter) flu.

Across England and Wales, about 15% of the population contract seasonal flu annually, from which there are about 8,000 related deaths each year. So far only a handful of people have died from swine flu, most with underlying health problems.

Inline with national policy, Buckinghamshire Primary Care Trust and the Thames Valley Health Protection Unit have moved to the treatment phase, where the priority is to give antivirals to people who are diagnosed with swine flu.