Swine Flu: Public Questions and Answers
Version14: 01.07.2009
Q. Why is Swine Flu affecting humans?
Infection with swine influenza virus has been detected occasionally in humans since the 1950s and human disease is usually clinically similar to disease caused by infections with human influenza viruses.
Cases of swine influenza in humans usually occur after a history of exposure to pigs, i.e. direct or close contact with infected pigs. Person-to-person transmission has been previously reported but appears to be rare.
Q. Will swine flu lead to a pandemic?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the level of pandemic alert to Phase 6. This means a global pandemic has been declared.
A ‘pandemic’ simply means that an influenza virus, new to humans, has appeared, is spreading and is causing disease in many parts of the world.
The criteria for making this declaration are based on the geographic spread of the virus and not its severity. Phase 6 has been declared because there is now clear evidence of sustained community transmission in countries outside North America and Mexico.
The WHO’s decision to declare a pandemic is based on what is happening globally and does not suggest a sudden shift in the UK situation.
The declaration of Phase 6 does not change the UK’s overall assessment that so far the virus is generally mild in most people, but proving more severe in a small number of cases. We are continuing to work to slow the spread of the disease.
Q. How prepared are we in Gloucestershire?
The UK was one of the first countries to have a flu pandemic contingency plan in place.
The UK plan seeks to reduce the negative health impact of any pandemic and the possible disruption it may cause to essential services and people’s daily lives. This will be through measures such as antiviral treatment and immunisation (when this becomes available), and preparing the NHS and society as far as possible.
The NHS in Gloucestershire has taken a proactive approach. We established a multi-agency Pandemic Flu planning group in 2007 to develop plans to provide an effective response locally to an influenza pandemic - reducing the impact on health, safeguarding essential services and minimising social disruption.
We are working closely with NHS South West and the Health Protection Agency to ensure we act on the latest information and with local partner organisations to ensure effective co-ordination.
Q. How does swine flu spread?
Flu viruses are made up of tiny particles that can be spread through the droplets that come out of your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
When you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth with a tissue, those droplets can spread and others will be at risk of breathing them in.
If you cough or sneeze into your hand, those droplets and the germs in them are then easily spread from your hand to any hard surfaces that you touch, and they can live on those surfaces for some time. Everyday items such as door handles, computer keyboards, mobile and ordinary phones and the TV remote control are all common surfaces where flu viruses can be found.
If other people touch these surfaces and then touch their faces, the germs can enter their systems and they can become infected. That’s how all cold and flu viruses, including swine flu, are passed on from person to person.
Q. What is the advice to people in Gloucestershire?
The NHS is advising people to adopt good hygiene practice as normal:
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue whenever possible
- Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully – bag and bin them
- Maintain good hygiene – washing hands frequently with soap and water
- Clean hard surfaces (e.g. kitchen worktops, door handles) frequently, using a normal cleaning product
- Stay at home when you are sick – if you have a cough and a fever, it is best to rest at home, take medicines to relieve the symptoms and drink plenty of fluids. This will speed your recovery and help prevent the spread of infection. If you need medical advice or assistance, phone NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or your GP surgery.
Q. Can swine flu be treated?
It is possible to treat human swine flu cases as the virus is sensitive to available antiviral drugs.
Antiviral drugs (such as Tamiflu) reduce the length of symptoms and usually their severity. Testing has shown that the human swine influenza H1N1 can be treated with these antivirals.
Q. Can I get the normal seasonal flu jab to help protect me?
This type of flu is not the same as seasonal flu: it involves a completely new type of virus. Therefore the normal seasonal flu jab will not help protect against swine flu.
There are some groups of people who should have the normal seasonal flu jab. The occasional bout of flu is not a serious matter for most healthy people, but if you are vulnerable, flu can lead to complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
Having the seasonal flu jab annually is extremely important if you fall into any of the high risk groups (see below). Not only will it help protect you from flu viruses, it could keep you out of hospital and may save your life.
If you think that you or a person you look after should have the vaccination, contact your local surgery to seek their advice and arrange an appointment if appropriate.
The Department of Health guidelines strongly recommend the influenza vaccine for the following groups:
all over 65s; and anyone with:
- a chronic heart or chest complaint, including asthma
- serious kidney disease
- serious liver disease
- diabetes
- lowered immunity due to illness or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment
- any other serious medical condition – check with your doctor if you are unsure.
Q. Is it best to get swine flu now during the summer while it is relatively mild? Does this mean I won’t get it in the winter?
Cases to date across the country have been diagnosed and treated early. This reduces the severity of symptoms and helps to limit the spread.
The Department of Health are trying to delay the spread of the virus in the UK through giving Tamiflu to close contacts of confirmed cases and considering closing schools, so that they can learn more about it and so be better prepared to respond. Information about the severity of the illness associated with this virus is still not clear enough to say with confidence that it is mild.
We would urge people who have flu-like symptoms to stay at home and call their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647. We do not advise people to go into their GP Surgery or other health environment (for example A&E) as this may spread the disease to others.
We also do not recommend that people attempt to catch the virus as we do not know enough about it.
Q. Will the Government be introducing a vaccine?
At present there is no vaccine available for swine flu.
The Department of Health has announced that the UK Government has signed an agreement with vaccine manufacturers to secure supplies of up to 90 million doses of pre-pandemic H1N1 vaccine before a pandemic begins.
Full details of this announcement can be found by clicking on the following link: Department of Health website
Q. I have been in a part of the UK/another country that is more heavily affected by swine flu what should I do?
Anyone who has symptoms of influenza and has visited an affected area should stay at home (to limit contact with others), and seek medical advice by contacting NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or by telephoning their GP surgery (or the Out of Hours medical service 08454 220 220).
The healthcare professional assessing a patient will take into account the relevant clinical algorithm from the Health Protection Agency. The algorithm takes into account where the patient may have been in contact with swine flu.
The clinical symptoms of swine flu are similar to human seasonal flu and include fever (of 38 degrees or more) and flu like illness (2 or more of the following symptoms – cough, runny nose, limb/joint pain, headache).
Q. How effective is Tamiflu?
Tamiflu helps reduce the severity of symptoms or shorten the duration of illness when given to someone who is ill.
When given to a contact of someone who is ill (called prophylactic treatment), the purpose of Tamiflu is to remove the virus from the contact’s body before they become ill. However, once someone stops taking Tamiflu for prophylaxis they are still susceptible to catching swine flu at a later date unless they have experienced symptoms.
Q. I have been in contact with someone who is a suspected/confirmed case of swine flu, what should I do?
At present in Gloucestershire we are tracing contacts of confirmed cases to provide antiviral treatment (Tamiflu) as a precautionary measure and to help contain the spread of the virus.
However, the advice remains the same: if you have symptoms of influenza: stay at home (to limit contact with others), and seek medical advice by contacting NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or by telephoning your GP surgery (or the Out of Hours medical service for Gloucestershire 08454 220 220).
The clinical symptoms of swine flu are similar to human seasonal flu and include fever (of 38 degrees or more) and flu like illness (2 or more of the following symptoms – cough, runny nose, limb/joint pain, headache).
Q. If I think I/my child might have swine flu should I/they stay at home?
The general advice if you have symptoms of influenza is: stay at home (to limit contact with others), and seek medical advice by contacting NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or by telephoning your GP surgery (or the Out of Hours medical service for Gloucestershire 08454 220 220).
Staying home and limiting contact with other people will help reduce the spread of the virus. However, people should speak to their workplace/school to ensure they follow any particular procedures necessary
Q. Can I carry on with normal activities if I’m been confirmed as positive for swine flu but am taking Tamiflu?
No. If you have been confirmed as positive for swine flu and prescribed Tamiflu you should remain in isolation until you have completed your course. This will help us reduce the spread of the virus.
You can resume normal activities once you have completed the course of treatment and are no longer displaying flu-like symptoms.
Q. How will people suspected of having swine flu be treated?
As a precautionary measure some of those who are symptomatic may be referred for testing for a range of respiratory and other illnesses, in line with UK health guidance.
They will have a swab test taken (throat and nose) and this will be sent for testing. Treatment will be given if appropriate and this could include being given Tamiflu. Close contacts (e.g. family members) of anyone confirmed as having swine flu could also be treated with Tamiflu after assessment.
Q. Has the NHS in Gloucestershire got good access to antiviral drug treatments?
The UK has antiviral stockpiles for the population that will be distributed to areas as needed.
There are currently supplies available in Gloucestershire through healthcare professionals. Supplies will be monitored and increased as necessary.
Q. As we have a confirmed case in Gloucestershire do we need to be more vigilant in Gloucestershire?
Flu spreads quickly and it only takes one person to leave germs on a surface which is touched by others for the flu virus (in whichever form) to spread.
At this stage people should follow the public health advice regarding hygiene to help reduce the risk of germs spreading.
Q. What is the latest travel advice?
If you are looking for advice on how swine flu might affect your travel plans, you should consult the travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the country you are visiting.
Details about the latest travel advice can be found at www.fco.gov.uk.
Q. What is the National Flu Line?
The National Flu Line has been set up by the Department of Health to provide general updates and information to people on swine flu, particularly if they do not have access to the internet.
The number (0800 1 513 513) will be promoted through press, television and radio advertisements as well as the information leaflet that will be delivered to every household.
Q. I have received the Department of Health leaflet, can I do anything else to prepare ?
There are some other useful actions you can take now to prepare in case swine flu becomes more widespread:
Set up a network of ‘flu friends’ - Flu friends are neighbours, friends and relatives who can help you if you get ill. For example, they could collect medicines, food and other supplies for you, so that you don’t have to leave home if you are ill.
Keep up to date with the latest information on swine flu and follow public health advice and instructions.
If swine flu spreads, you need to keep informed so that you know what else you can do to protect yourself and your family. As the situation changes, you should keep up to date by watching TV, listening to the radio, checking the internet and looking out for announcements in the press.
Q. I haven’t received the Department of Health leaflet, where can I get one from?
If you have not received the Department of Health ‘Important Information about Swine Flu’ leaflet or have misplaced your original copy, further copies can be ordered by calling the Swine Flu Information line on 0800 1 513 531 or by downloading a copy at www.dh.gov.uk/swineflu
