14-03-2010

    Swine Flu Information

    Swine Flu
    Cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the UK.
    The Government has delivered a leaflet to every UK household about the swine flu outbreak and how to prevent its spread. You can download the Government leaflet from the DirectGov website at www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu
    If you think you have swine flu, the NHS symptom checker helps you to identify the symptoms of flu (see below)
    NHS flu symptom checker (opens in a new window)
    You can also call the Swine Flu information line on 0800 1 513 513.
    If you still think you may have swine flu, call your local GP - do not go to the GPs surgery or hospital in person.
    • Contact your doctor
    • Your local GP will be able to tell you if you have swine flu over the phone.
    • If they say you have swine flu they will give you a voucher number which your Flu Friend (the person caring for you) can use to pick up anti-viral drugs from the local collection centre. This may be a local pharmacy or community centre.
    • If you are still concerned, you can call·NHS Direct on 0845 4647 in England
    Hackney Homes will continue to monitor the situation and take advice from Government and the NHS on how to deal with this situation as it changes. In the meantime, our cleaners are workinghard to ensure that liffts and communal areas in our buildings are cleaned more often than regularly. We will update residents on the current situation on this website.
    If you have any further concerns, please contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

    Good practice in hygiene

    • Preventing germs from spreading is the key health protection message from the NHS. Contagious viruses that spread from person to person can be kept in check by following simple hygiene steps::
    • Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, use a tissue when possible.
    • Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
    • Maintain good basic hygiene, for example wash hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.
    • Clean hard surfaces (such as door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
    • Make sure your children also follow this advice.
    Further health protection advice can be found on the DirectGov website.

    What are the symptoms of swine flu?

    The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza infection and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat. Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea.
    If someone who has been to the affected areas of Mexico and/or the United States is feeling sick, what should they do?
    Anyone who has recently travelled to the affected areas and is experiencing influenza like illness should stay at home to limit contact with others, and seek medical advice from a local health professional or by contacting NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or go to www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk