Swine Flu Information
Swine flu information
::Update:: 22/10/09
From 21st October 2009, the Swine Flu vaccine began to be administered to people who are considered to be priority groups. People living with HIV / AIDS are considered to be one of these priority groups. Your GP should contact you shortly if you are eligible for a vaccine as a member of one of these priority groups. The articles below give more information about the vaccination programme.’
:: End of Update::
::Update:: 18/08/09
Individuals with HIV will be one of the priority groups for swine flu vaccination in the United Kingdom, according to plans released by the UK Department of Health.
A vaccine offering protection against swine flu is expected to be available in the autumn
See more information at NAM’s website
::Update:: 24/070/09 There have been a variety of myths surrounding the topic of Swine Flu, some which are true, some which aren’t. Current evidence is suggesting that someone who is HIV+ IS NOT at any greater risk of contracting swine flu than other members of the population, assuming that the HIV+ person has a CD4 count of above 200.If your CD4 count is below this level then you may be slightly more at risk. There is however however a greater risk of someone who is HIV positive who contracts swine flu, suffering complications due to the virus, including pneumonia. If you would like more information about this topic please visit the link below for a more detailed article.
If you would like more information about Swine Flu and what steps you should take if you think you or a family member has contracted the virus please follow the links on this website to the NHS website which offers the most up-to-date information on the virus.
Click here to see the full article from The Body
As swine flu spreads and there is transmission within the community, it makes sense to move from intensive efforts to contain the virus to focusing efforts on treating the increasing number of people who have the disease.
Swine flu itself remains, in most cases, a relatively mild illness, similar to seasonal flu.
If you develop flu-like symptoms DO NOT COME TO LASS, instead, stay at home and visit the NHS Direct website and use the online symptom checker, or call the national flu information line on 0800 1 513 513. Do not come to LASS
Typical symptoms are:
- sudden fever and
- sudden cough
Other symptoms may include:
- headache
- tiredness
- chills
- aching muscles
- limb or joint pain
- diarrhoea or stomach upset
- sore throat
- runny nose
- sneezing, and
- loss of appetite
If you are unsure about your symptoms and need advice, contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647
If you now believe that you have swine flu you should stay at home, then:
Telephone your GP who can provide a diagnosis over the phone
Be prepared – before you become ill, make sure you have identified a ‘flu friend’ who can collect your antiviral drugs for you if you need them. A ‘flu friend’ can be a member of your family, a friend, a neighbour or a colleague. If you know older or vulnerable people, or neighbours who live alone, check to see whether they have a ‘flu friend’, and think about offering to become theirs.
If swine flu is confirmed, your GP will provide you with an authorisation voucher which your ‘flu friend’* can take to a local collection centre to pick up the antiviral treatment. Your GP will tell you where the nearest centre is located. You should not collect the treatment yourself.
You should also do the following to protect the people you live with:
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and use a tissue where possible
- Dispose of used tissues in waste/rubbish bins as soon as possible
- Wash hands frequently with warm soapy water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face, or to other people
- Always wash your hands before eating
- Clean hard surfaces, such as door handles, telephones and desks regularly using a normal cleaing product.
DO: Stay at home
DO: Go online and check your symptoms on the NHS Direct website,
DO: Call the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513
DO: Call your GP over the phone if you have symptoms
DO NOT: Visit your GP surgery
DO NOT: Visit A&E in person
The most up to date information for the public is available on the Direct Gov website and the NHS Choices website.
Further scientific information is available on the Health Protection Agency’s website.
Download the leaflet that was delivered to all households.
National flu information line – 0800 1 513 513
Useful websites and contacts
NHS Choices for further information on swine flu
Health Protection Agency – Protecting people, preventing harm, preparing for threats
NHS swine flu information
Health A – Z
News
Questions and answers
Symptoms
Other languages
Direct Gov website.
Business information on swine flu can be found on the Business Link website
UK Medicines Information – materials produced by UKMi and other bodies relating to pandemic influenza A, with a focus on swine flu