Swine Flu

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WHAT IS SWINE FLU?
Swine flu is a type of flu. It is caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1. H1N1 is the same strain which causes seasonal outbreaks of flu in humans on a regular basis. This latest version of H1N1 is different, in that it contains genetic material typically found in the strains of virus that affects humans, birds and swine. Although the strain may have originated in pigs it is now a wholly human disease. It can be spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing.

This new strain of influenza emerged in Mexico in spring this year. The World Health Organisation have declared this as a flu pandemic. A pandemic occurs when a new strain of flu virus spreads very easily between humans.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SWINE FLU?
The symptoms of swine flu are the same as the symptoms of normal flu. They include:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Runny nose
• Significant body aches, chills and fatigue

These symptoms are associated with a fever (that is a high temperature). They can also be associated with diarrhoea and vomiting. They usually last for a few days and then completely resolve. It is important to note that most cases of swine flu around the world, appear to be mild.

Swine flu currently appears to be affecting younger people, rather than the elderly.

ANTIVIRALS
Antiviral drugs for example: Tamiflu have been shown to be effective for swine flu. They do not kill the virus, but interfere with the way the virus multiplies. Therefore they do not cure flu, but may reduce the severity and duration of symptoms and may prevent complications. Usually treatment is given for 5 days.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS OF SWINE FLU?
It is important to remember that the vast majority of people who get infected will recover fully, without any hospital treatment. Some people will have very mild symptoms and some people will have more severe symptoms of flu. Complications can occur and they can be serious. A serious complication is pneumonia.

HOW IS SWINE FLU DIAGNOSED?
We are no longer swabbing patients to diagnose swine flu.
Initially when the virus first emerged, we were swabbing patients to confirm the diagnosis. This was to help us try and contain the virus. The number of cases in the UK now means that the approach has moved to treatment only. Doctors will make a clinical diagnosis of swine flu. This initial assessment should take place over the telephone to confirm the likelihood of swine flu and trigger the treatment process. If the doctor feels they need to see you they will arrange this.

CONTACT TRACING

There is no longer the requirement to carry out contact tracing.
The Health Protection Agency have also advised us not to treat contacts of swine flu cases. Occasionally this would be different for instance, if a household member has a serious underlying health problem, or there are other special circumstances. Your doctor will assess this and discuss this with you. This means that if you have had contact with someone with swine flu you do not need to make contact with your GP unless you are unwell.

TREATMENT OF SWINE FLU
If you think you have swine flu, that is if you have a high temperature in combination with the symptoms described above, you should arrange to discuss this with a doctor. This will normally be done over the telephone. We will discuss with you, your symptoms, and the likelihood of you having swine flu. If we do think swine flu is a possibility, we will discuss with you the use of antiviral treatments. If you are aged between 5-64 and do not have an underlying illness and your symptoms are mild, you may discuss with the doctor and decide not to have antiviral treatment. If you have symptoms strongly suggestive of swine flu, the doctor may offer you antiviral treatment.

There are certain priority groups who should be given early treatment, which are:

• Pregnant women
• The over 65’s
• Those under 5
• People with chronic diseases
• Diabetes
• Immunosuppression
• Patients with asthma who have had drug treatment for their asthma within the last 3 years.

The doctor will assess you according to your symptoms and may or may not ask you to come down to the surgery.

If you are asked to come to the surgery, it is obviously important that we try and minimise the spread of swine flu within the surgery. You may be asked to bring a flu friend with you, who is someone who is well. They will come into the surgery to tell us you are here whilst you wait in the car. The doctor will then arrange for you to come straight through into their room. This will avoid you sitting in the waiting room and try and minimise the spread of the flu. If the doctor does not arrange to see you but you decide together to start antiviral treatment, the doctor will give you advice on how to get this. At the present time, we are asking you to arrange for a well flu friend to pick the prescription up from Breakspeare pharmacy in Ashford. This may change in the future.

As with normal seasonal flu the symptoms can be quite distressing. General measures, such as ensuring adequate fluid intake, the taking of over the counter preparations, such as Paracetamol and rest will help control your symptoms and your fever.

WHAT DOES ISOLATION MEAN?
The advice is if you have symptoms suggestive of flu to isolate yourself until your symptoms have resolved. This means you should stay at home until you feel better. General hygiene is very important to reduce the spread of swine flu (and other diseases).

This includes:

• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with a tissue.
• Disposing of tissues promptly.
• Washing your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Cleaning hard surfaces such as door handles and work surfaces frequently.
• Ensuring children follow this advice.

The advice with regards to swine flu is changing rapidly. Our advice comes from the Department of Health.

We hope you find this information useful, but please do not hesitate to contact us if your questions are not answered, or you do not find this information clear. There is lots of information on the internet regarding swine flu. A particularly useful site is NHS Helpline which is www.NHS.UK.