Questions About Swine Flu

How Can I Avoid Catching It?

Good standards of hygiene can help protect you from catching Swine Flu.

1/ Wash your hands frequently with soap and water and carry an alcohol-based hand gel to use if water isn't available.

2/ Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, using a tissue if possible

3/ Dispose of used tissues quickly and carefully

4/ Make sure you clean hard surfaces like door handles frequently.

How Do I Know If I Have Swine Flu ?

Just like normal Flu, the symptons of Swine Flu include:

1/ a sudden fever (a high body temperature of 38C/100.4F or above)

2/ a sudden cough

Other symptons may include:

* Headache

* Sore throat

* Tiredness

* Runny nose

* Chills

* Sneezing

* Aching muscles

* Loss of appetite

* Limb or joint pain

* Diarrhoea or stomach upset

If you think you have Swine Flu, do the following:

Stay at home and check your symptons on government (or your National Pandemic Flu Service) regulated websites.

Only call your doctor, if:

1/ You have a serious underlying illness

2/ You are pregnant

3/ You have a sick child under one year old

4/ Your condition suddenly gets much worse after 7 days (or 5 days for a child)

PLEASE DO NOT GO STRAIGHT TO YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST, AS YOU MIGHT INFECT OTHERS OR BE SENT BACK HOME TO AWAIT YOUR ANTIVIRAL.

Please remember to plan ahead

1/ Ask a fried or relative to be your 'Flu friend'

2/ If diagnosed, you will be given information on how your 'Flu friend' can pick up your medicines.

Also note, when collect the Antivirals, your 'Flu friend'will need to show some form of ID for themselves and for you.

Millions at risk from fake drugs

Do not under any circumstances buy antiviral drug from unregulated websites - You may be gambling with your life.

About 1 in 7 adults admitted to avoiding the healtcare system to get 'Presciption Only Medicine' which could be counterfeit.

Fake medicines can contain harmful ingredients such as rat poison, lead paint and the insecticide additive Boric Acid.

DO NOT BE A VICTIM

For further advice and information on Swine Flu, contact your regional (or local) National Pandemic Flu Service.

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