H1N1v INFLUENZA (SWINE FLU)

PLEASE NOTE: The National Pandemic Flu Service has now closed down. This information remains for reference only. If you think you have swine flu and require advise please telephone the surgery.

The National Pandemic Flu Service was launched in England on the 23rd July 2009. The online and phone service will allow people to get information, check their symptoms and get a unique number which will give them access to antivirals if necessary.

The design and clinical content of the algorithm which the service will use has been reviewed by a number of organisations, including the Royal College of General Practitioners and has been monitored closely during its development to ensure that it is appropriate.

The service will not cover the rest of the UK as Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have all experienced less demand.

If members of the public suspect that they have swine flu, they are instructed to:

1. Go online at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu or call the Treatment Line on 0800 1 513 100. Textphone is available on 0800 1 513 200.

2. They will be taken through a list of basic questions about their symptoms and medical history, and asked to confirm their date of birth, name and address including their postcode.

3. If they are confirmed as having swine flu, they will be given a unique access number and told where their nearest antiviral collection point is. They should then ask a flu friend – a friend or relative to who does not have swine flu – to go and pick up their antivirals.

Anyone who suspects they have swine flu must not go to their GP or Accident and Emergency.

People should contact their doctor direct rather than using the National Pandemic Flu Service if:

• they have a serious underlying illness,
• they are pregnant,
• they have a sick child under one year old
• their condition suddenly gets much worse, or
• if their condition is still getting worse after 7 days (5 for a child)

Symptoms:

The Department of Health advises that people who have any of the following symptoms and a temperature of 38° C and above or feels hot may have swine flu.
The typical symptoms are:

• sudden fever (a high body temperature of 38C/100.4F or above), 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
• loss of appetite

We understand that the public will be advised that if they have a fever or a high temperature (over 38°C / 100.4°F), and any two of the following symptoms (Tiredness, headache, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath or cough, loss of appetite, aching muscles, diarrhoea or vomiting), they may have swine flu.

Flu friends:

The flu friend must show their own ID as well as that of the patient. The authorisation number and ID information will be checked to ensure it matches the information provided when the assessment of symptoms was completed.

General information:

The Treatment Line number (0800 1 513 100 / 0800 1 513 200) is not intended for general information. To access general information, the public will be advised to call the Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 or go to www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu

NHS Choices Health Information