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Swine flu in Leeds: What you need to know
If you live in the Leeds area it is important that you read this, print it off and keep it in a safe place.
It gives you all the information you need to be able to get the right medicine if you become ill with swine flu.
If you are not sure whether you have swine flu and you would like further information ring the National Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513.
If you have flu symptoms stay at home and get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids.
Ring the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513100 if you are not getting any better.
Calls to these numbers are free from a landline. Mobile phone charges may vary depending on your network operator.
You can also go online and visit www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu
What is this leaflet for?
This leaflet tells you:
• what swine flu is;
• how to tell if you have swine flu;
• what to do if you have flu-like symptoms;
• how to get the right treatment; and
• other things you can do to reduce the spread of flu.
What is the difference between normal flu and swine flu?
Normal "seasonal" flu is the type of flu that is already common in the UK. It usually affects more people in the autumn and winter time and can make people quite ill.
Swine flu is a new type of flu which is also called the H1N1 flu strain. Because this is a new flu it spreads more easily from person to person and everyone could be at risk of catching it.
Generally, swine flu is a mild illness and most people who have it should start to feel better within a few days without needing to go to their GP or accident and emergency.
Who is at risk of getting swine flu?
Anyone could get swine flu but some people are more at risk of becoming very poorly with it. The types of people more at risk include:
• children under five years old;
• people aged 65 and over;
• those with chronic diseases like heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, neurological disease and respiratory diseases;
• people with diabetes;
• people who take medicine for asthma; and
• pregnant women
It is important that people with existing health conditions, like those mentioned, try to avoid mixing with people who have swine flu.
How does the flu spread?
Flu germs are spread in coughs and sneezes. If you cough or sneeze into your hand, germs can spread easily onto other surfaces like door handles and telephones when you touch them.
If other people touch the same surfaces or breathe in the air after you've coughed or sneezed then the germs can get into their bodies and give them the flu. This is how all colds and flu are spread which is why it's really important to cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
How do I know if I've got swine flu?
The symptoms of swine flu are very similar to the symptoms of normal flu.
If you have swine flu you will have a high temperature which is 38C (around 100F) or above. You will also have at least two of the following symptoms:
• cough;
• sore throat;
• runny nose;
• severe tiredness;
• loss of appetite;
• muscle or joint aches and pains; and
• headaches.
Some people may also have sickness (vomiting) or diarrhoea.
Where can I check my symptoms?
You can check your symptoms on the NHS Direct website at www.nhs.uk
This website has a dedicated flu symptom checker which you can use to work out if you have the flu.
If I've got the symptoms what do I do next?
If you have the symptoms of swine flu then you must stay at home. Do not go to the doctors (GP) or accident and emergency.
The first thing you should do is get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. You can also try relieving your symptoms by taking over-the-counter remedies like paracetamol, cough medicines and throat lozenges. Always read the instructions on the packet.
If you don't start to feel better after a day or so, or your symptoms get worse, ring the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 100. You will be asked some questions and if you need antiviral medicine, the call handler will give you a unique reference number.
Give this number to a friend, relative or neighbour without symptoms who can collect your medicine for you. This person will be known as your 'flu friend'.
What is a flu friend?
A flu friend is a trusted friend, relative, neighbour or work colleague who can collect your antiviral medicines and other things like groceries and over-the-counter medicines for you if you become ill with the flu.
Your flu friend must be over 16 years of age and able to get themselves to an antiviral medicine collection point.
What are antiviral medicines?
Antiviral medicines are not a cure for swine flu but can help you by;
• relieving the symptoms of flu;
• reducing the overall length of time you are ill; and
• reducing the risk of developing other serious illness like pneumonia.
Not everyone will need antiviral medicine. Many people will recover from their symptoms by staying at home, getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids.
The latest national government advice is that antiviral medicines are effective if they are taken within five days of symptoms beginning and there is no need for most people to have them straight away.
The medicines are not a cure but can help to relieve some of the symptoms of flu and may slightly reduce the overall length of the illness in some people.
The only people who should try to take these medicines sooner (within 48 hours to be most effective) are those in at risk groups explained earlier in this leaflet.
I'm pregnant – can I take antiviral medicine?
Most pregnant women who get swine flu will have only mild symptoms and will recover within a week.
If you are pregnant and diagnosed with swine flu, you will usually be given a course of the antiviral drug Relenza, which is inhaled using a disk-shaped inhaler. It is recommended for pregnant women because it easily reaches the throat and lungs, where it is needed. Relenza should not affect your pregnancy or your growing baby.
If your doctor or midwifery specialist thinks that a different medicine is needed (for instance, if you have unusually severe flu), you will be given Tamiflu instead.
Where do I get my medicine from?
We have set up antiviral medicine collection centres to make it easy for people with flu to get antiviral medicine quickly. The National Pandemic Flu Service will tell you where your nearest collection point is when you ring them for your unique reference number.
It is important that people with flu symptoms do not go to the collection point. Please make sure your flu friend does not have flu symptoms as they may not be allowed into the antiviral collection centre.
What information does my flu friend need?
Your flu friend will need to take some information about you to the antiviral medicine collection point. They should have:
• Your full name and date of birth;
• Your address including postcode;
• Identification (ID) for you such as a photo driving licence, passport or utility bill
• GP's name;
• The Unique Reference Number given to you by the National Pandemic Flu Service;
• Proof of identification for themselves such as a photo driving licence, passport or utility bill
We have included a handy checklist on the back of this leaflet that will help you to remember what your flu friend needs to bring.
When are the centres open?
The centres are open at different times. The National Pandemic Flu Service will tell you the opening hours of your nearest collection point when you ring them to have your symptoms assessed.
Does the flu friend need to make an appointment?
No, they don't need to make an appointment at the collection centre. Flu friends can turn up anytime that is convenient to them during the opening hours.
Can I get antiviral medicines at the hospital accident and emergency department?
No. The hospital accident and emergency (A+E) departments, NHS commuter walk-in centres and local minor injuries units in the Leeds area are not giving out antiviral medicine.
If you have symptoms please stay at home. Don't go to A+E, your GP or any other local health service unless you have been told to do so.
You can get antiviral medicines if you need them by ringing the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 100.
What happens when my flu friend arrives at a centre?
When your flu friend arrives they will be met by a member of staff and asked to check and make sure they have all of the information with them. They may be asked to queue for a short period of time depending on how busy the centre is. A member of staff will check your details on the computer to make sure you get the right medicine.
If your flu friend also has the symptoms of flu they must not come to the antiviral medicine collection centre. Instead, please find someone else that can come in their place.
How long will the process take?
We expect that during quiet periods your flu friend will be able to collect your medicine in around 15 minutes if they have all of the necessary information with them. When the centre is busier it could take longer for your flu friend to be seen. We will make sure that our staff at the centre give them a rough waiting time when they arrive.
I've been offered antiviral tablets by a friend – should I take them instead?
No. Never take medicines prescribed for someone else. This is because medicines are given in different strengths or may be different types depending on your medical history, age and any other medicines you are taking.
Some medicines for sale over the internet or on the black market may be fake and could be dangerous.
Only take antiviral medicines if they have been prescribed to you by the National Pandemic Flu Service or a GP.
Is there anything I can do to reduce the risk of flu?
The easiest way to reduce the spread of coughs, colds and flu is by:
• using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes;
• throwing the tissue in the bin after one use;
• washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the toilet and before eating;
• cleaning hard surfaces regularly with a household cleaning product; and
• making sure children follow the same advice.
What else can I do to prepare?
It is always useful to have a stock of home remedies in case you become ill with a cold or the flu. Some things you could include in this are:
• pain relief medicines like paracetamol;
• nasal decongestants to clear blocked noses;
• sore throat lozenges;
• rehydration treatment for restoring the body's natural balance of salt and fluids after sickness and diarrhoea; and
• a cough syrup or remedy.
It is also a good idea to have some tissues and a thermometer in your medicine cabinet.
I usually have the seasonal flu vaccine or the pneumonia flu vaccine – should I still have these?
Yes, if you are usually invited to have the seasonal flu vaccine or the pneumonia vaccine you should make sure you have these again this year.
What about a vaccination for swine flu?
Manufacturers are currently working on a swine flu vaccine for the UK Government and plans are in place to have this ready by the autumn.
Checklist
Ask your flu friend to take this information with them to the antiviral medicine collection point.
• Your name;
• Your date of birth;
• Your full address including postcode;
• Your Identification (a photocopy of your driving licence, passport or utility bill will be accepted);
• The Unique Reference Number given to you by the National Pandemic Flu Service;
• Your GP's name;
• Identification for themselves (a photocopy of their driving licence, passport or utility bill will be accepted);
• .
Where can I find out more?
You can find out more about swine flu both locally and nationally by logging on to the following websites:
NHS Direct – www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
NHS Leeds – www.swinefluinfo.leeds.nhs.uk
Health Protection Agency – www.hpa.org.uk
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (for travel advice) - www.fco.gov.uk
World Health Organization - www.who.int
You can also ring NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 18 May 2012
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