Read this information and then watch the video at the end
The swine flu which started in Mexico is a virus. It's called swine virus as it is named after a virus that pigs can get. People do not normally get swine flu, but as in the recent outbreak humans have caught it. ( At the time of writing there have been many cases throughout the UK.) It is a very contageous virus that spreads quite easily from human to human. Luckily the outbreak seems to be virtually over.
SWINE FLU SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to the symptoms of normal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
SWINE FLU VACCINES
Their are swine flu vaccines available for swine flu but at present there is no swine flu vaccination to prevent it. One of the most commonly used is Tamiflu. This is also one of the antiviral vaccines used against bird flu.
SWINE FLU PREVENTION
There are lots of things you can do to prevent catching Swine Flu
If you sneeze or cough - cover your mouth and nose with a hanky or tissue
After coughing or sneezing wash your hands with either alcohol based cleaning tissues or soap and water
If at all possible do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth as this is the easiest way to spread the virus
Try to avoid contact with people who are already sick as you can make their illness a lot more serious. Our advice would at the present time be "do not mix with people unless you have to and if you are at work or school, stay away to avoid spreading the swine flu virus
WATCH THE VIDEO NOW
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Swine Flu Pandemic Over
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The National Pandemic Flu Service, set up to give online helpand telephone assessments in the UK, has now closed. The swine flu cases have dropped dramatically which means that this service is no longer required, they tell us that it can be easily reinstated within seven days if a new wave of infections occurs
The advice now is - People showing swine flu symptoms are now being advised to stay in their home home but contact their doctor, who will be able to assess them. If they think it appropriate, the patient will be offered antiviral medication and vaccination.
The Pandemic Flu Service was designed to ease the extra pressure placed on GPs and the NHS during any occuring pandemic. It allowed the public to get free advice and request antivirals such as Tamiflu, from their own home.
The Department of Health said "Our priority remains to vaccinate those most at risk from swine flu, as people are still in hospital from the virus and sadly some have died.
“However, given the current welcome reduction in the number of cases, and the need to make sure our response to the pandemic remains proportionate, we have decided to close the National Pandemic Flu Service”
Swine flu cases
The latest available figures show that:
In England, the rate of doctor consultations for flu like illness was 12.5 per 100,000 population for the week ending January 31 2010.
124 patients ended up in hospital with swine flu in England, 29 of whom were in critical care.
The Health Protection Agency's overall estimate for the number of cases was below 5,000, where it had been for aboutsix weeks.
Vaccination programme
By the end of January:
The total estimated number of front-line health and social care workers vaccinated in England was 393,000.
The total number of vaccine doses administered to the priority groups in England was 4.25 million. This figure includes 140,000 pregnant women and 404,000 healthy children aged six months to under 5 years.
Commenting on the decline in swine flu cases, Sir Liam Donaldson, chief medical officer for England, said:
“Levels of pandemic ‘flu are currently very low virtually concluding the second wave of the infection in this country.
“Although throughout it has not been a severe illness for most people, children and younger adults have developed serious complications, been admitted to hospital and some have died.
“I strongly advise that those eligible for the vaccine who have not yet had it, get the jab and protect themselves."
Vaccinations
Vaccination of people in clinical risk groups is still ongoing, with an estimated 4.25 million doses of vaccine administered so far. NHS hospitals and GPs are continuing to vaccinate young children and adults facing the greatest risk of complications. Patients will be contacted by their GPs if they fall into one of the at-risk categories.
Healthcare staff dealing with the public are also being vaccinated to help keep medical services running smoothly and to prevent them from passing the virus to patients.
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It is now Sunday 21st March 2010 and you can now relay a little for as the pandemic is virtually over. HOWEVER and this is important. People in the following groups may still be very vulnerable so need to arrange the possibility of swine flu vaccination:
These are people with:
chronic respiratory disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
chronic heart disease, such as heart failure,
chronic kidney disease, such as kidney failure,
chronic liver disease, such as chronic hepatitis,
chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson's disease,
diabetes requiring insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs, and
immunosuppression (a suppressed immune system), due to disease or treatment.
It is already known that people are particularly vulnerable if they have:
chronic (long-term) lung disease,
chronic heart disease,
chronic kidney disease,
chronic liver disease,
chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease),
immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment), or diabetes mellitus.
Also at risk are:
patients who have had drug treatment for asthma in the past three years,
pregnant women,
people aged 65 and over, and
children under five.
Latest Advice
If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu the advice is to stay at home and contact your GP, who will be able to assess you. If appropriate patients will be offered antiviral medication and vaccination jabs.
Patients with swine flu typically have a fever or a high temperature (over 38°C / 100.4°F) and two or more of the following symptoms:
unusual tiredness,
headache,
runny nose,
sore throat,
shortness of breath or cough,
loss of appetite,
aching muscles,
diarrhoea or vomiting
Catch it, Bin it, Kill it
The most important way to stop it spreading is to have good respiratory hygiene (i.e. sneezing and coughing into a tissue) and hand hygiene (keeping your hands clean). The video Catch it, Bin It, Kill It explains the importance of catching your sneeze in a tissue, placing it quickly in a bin and washing your hands and surfaces regularly to kill the virus.
