Swine Flu

Updated on July 27 at 17.15pm

Cambridgeshire health authorities are continuing to advise people concerned by reports about Swine flu to remain calm, despite the continuing increase in the number of confirmed cases in the county. 

Swine flu was first detected in April 2009 and FDC has been working closely with Cambridgeshire County Council and NHS Cambridgeshire in preparation for this Swine Flu outbreak. The number of cases of swine flu has increased within the UK and since 2nd July 2009 the UK has moved from the containment of Swine flu to the treatment phase.  This means that rather than waiting for laboratory testing to diagnose Swine Flu, an assessment will be made of Swine flu by symptoms alone.

Pandemic flu
Pandemic flu occurs when a new strain of the virus, which people have no immunity to, emerges. It is different from ordinary flu because there is a greater risk of infection and spreads rapidly across boarders. The last outbreak was in 1968.

Because pandemic flu occurs when a new strain of the virus emerges, it is difficult to develop vaccines before the outbreak. However when it does become available the aim will be to immunise the whole population as rapidly as vaccine supplies come through.

Good hand hygiene techniques are important and can significantly reduce the risks of spreading the infection.  Steps that can be taken during an outbreak are;
cover your mouth when coughing and sneezing using a tissue and dispose of them carefully 
avoid non essential travel and crowded places 
maintain good personal hygiene
regularly clean surfaces using normal cleaning products.

Checking symptoms
The vast majority of cases reported so far in this country have been mild. Only a small number have led to serious illness, and these have frequently been where patients have had underlying health problems.
If you have a high temperature and flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu:
Stay at home and check your symptoms using the National Pandemic Flu Service. https://www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk/
Call your GP directly if:
- you have a serious underlying illness,
- you are pregnant,
- you have a sick child under one year of
  age,
- your condition suddenly gets much
  worse, or
- your condition is still getting worse
  after seven days (five for a child).

Flu friends
As swine flu is now spreading fast in the UK with hundreds of new cases being confirmed daily it is advisable to take the following actions:
Establish a network of friends and relatives known as “flu friends” who can help if you fall ill by collecting medicines and food for you.
Ensure that you have a suitable amount of paracetamol-based cold remedies available if you fall ill.
The flu friend must show their own ID as well as that of the patient.
a utility bill,
passport,
a credit or debit card,
driving licence, or
NHS card.

National Pandemic Flu Service
This consists of a new website and call centres that will be able assess your symptoms 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 a local collection point.
https://www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk/   
For those who do not have internet access, the same service can be accessed by telephone on: 0800 1 513 100.
You will also need a pen and paper to write down information that they give you as you will need to provide the following information about the patient:
Their date of birth,
Their current symptoms,
Their history of any serious medical conditions,
Their health service number, or if they are a foreign visitor, their passport number or European Identity Card number
and their postcode

Information
The Department of Health has set up a national recorded information line giving detailed advice: call 0800 1 513 513.
Anyone who does develop flu-like symptoms should avoid crowded places and contact the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 100. They should not attend hospital Accident and Emergency departments except in an emergency.
Contact your doctor if you have a serious underlying illness or if the illness lasts for more than 7 days. Again do not go into the doctors surgery unless on the doctors advice.
External links
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm
www.hpa.org.uk

Advice for businesses is available on http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/policing/swineflu/Swinefluinformationforbusinesses.htm 

For information in other languages and formats, including British Sign Language video, go to Swine flu - other languages. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/Otherlanguages.aspx
Note: To order a Braille copy of the swine flu information leaflet, call the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513.