Treating swine flu

The World Health Organization has rated the UK as one of the best-prepared countries for a swine flu pandemic.  This leaflet has been written to help to inform our patients.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people until the infectious period is over.  This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, collecting children, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.  The infectious period is seven days after the onset of symptoms or 24 hours after symptoms resolve (whichever is longer).   Ensure that you and your family observe good hygiene guidance with regular hand washing and use of disposable tissues.  You can check your symptoms and get further advice by going online to NHS direct website or using this link to the question and answers pages:  http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/QA.aspx#long.  There is also a swine flu information line which you can telephone 0800 1513 513. This will help you decide if you need to contact the surgery or self manage at home.  In the meantime, take paracetamol-based cold remedies to reduce fever and other symptoms, drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest.  If your symptoms do not improve in a few days or should they become worse, please telephone the surgery and seek further advice from a doctor.

 

If you have a severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications (as outlined in the groups above), contact the surgery by telephone on (01789 840245 Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 12.30 pm or 1.30 pm to 6:00 pm and request a telephone appointment with your GP or the out of hours doctor is available by telephoning the same number 01789 840245 between 6.00pm and 8.30 am the following day.  Please do not come to the surgery and do not go to the A & E department but seek telephone advice.  Your doctor, or the out of hours doctor, will determine whether flu treatment with antiviral medication is needed. You will then need to arrange for someone to collect a prescription for you and take it to the chemist as advised by the doctor.  Again you can take paracetamol based cold remedies to reduce fever and other symptoms; you should drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest.

 

 If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

·         Fast breathing or trouble breathing

·         Bluish or grey skin colour

·         Not drinking enough fluids

·         Severe or persistent vomiting

·         Not waking up or not interacting

·         Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

·         Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

·         Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

·         Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

·         Sudden dizziness

·         Confusion

·         Severe or persistent vomiting

·         Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.Antivirals:  Stocks of antiviral medicines and antibiotics are available to treat anyone who becomes ill during the current pandemic. The antiviral medications oseltamavir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are being used throughout the UK to treat people with swine flu where clinically indicated. Tamiflu and Relenza are both medicines of the same type but Relenza comes as an inhaler (rather than a pill) and is recommended for use in pregnancy. Antivirals are not a cure for swine flu, but will help to:reduce the length of time you are ill by around one day, relieve some of the symptoms, reduce the potential for serious complications such as pneumonia

Currently, antivirals are being given, at a doctor's discretion, to all those who are diagnosed with swine flu as a precautionary measure.

However, it is especially important that high-risk groups get antivirals and start taking them as soon after symptoms start as possible. High-risk groups include:people with:
- chronic lung disease,
- chronic heart disease,
- chronic kidney disease,
- chronic liver disease,
- chronic neurological disease,
- immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment)
- diabetes mellitus, patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years, pregnant women, people aged 65 years and older, and young children under five years old. Antibiotics:  Antibiotics are used to treat swine flu patients who develop complications. They help combat bacterial infections such as pneumonia.  

 

We recommend the following sites for your information.

NHS Direct: NHS Direct Online is a website providing high quality health information and advice for the people of England. It is unique in being supported by a 24 hour nurse advice and information helpline.

South Warwickshire Hospitals: The South Warwickshire Trust incorporates Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon Hospitals. The Trust provides a wide range of day case, inpatient, outpatient and maternity services. Accident and Emergency facilities are based at Warwick Hospital.

NETDOCTOR: Provides information on all aspect of health. The result of a collaboration between health care professionals, information specialists and patients who believe that medical practice should be based on quality-assessed information and, wherever possible, on the basis of the principles of evidence-based medicine.

NHS Services in England: This site connects you to local NHS services in England and provides national information about the NHS

Patient Information: Over 600 leaflets on health and disease. Most GPs in the UK use these same leaflets. Details of nearly 2000 patient support / self help groups and similar organisations.

Other more specific sites:

Arthritis: This website is for anyone who wishes to know more about arthritis

Asthma: The National Asthma Campaign, dedicated to improving the health and well being of people with asthma

Back Care: The charity for healthier backs, aims to: be a source of independent, evidence based-information about the causes, treatments and management of back pain

Bereavement Care: Bereavement help and advice from "Cruse".

Breast Cancer Campaign: you can find out all about breast cancer and how to check your breasts

Bullying: A resource for Parents, Children, Teachers; offering support, legal advice etc

Cancer Help: "CancerHelp UK" is a free information service about cancer and cancer care for people with cancer and their families

Cancer Backup: Europe's leading cancer information service, with over 6,000 pages of up-to-date cancer information, practical advice and support for cancer patients, their families and carers.

Depression: MoodGYM is a website that helps you identify & overcome problem emotions. It shows you how to develop good coping skills for the future so that you can enjoy good mental health. Alternatively, "Stepping Forward", a local team of Clinical Psychologists are setting up a computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CCBT) service called "Beating the Blues".

Immunisations: Information on the current immunisation program for all ages and the latest research on the various immunisations.

MacMillan Cancer Relief: Macmillan Cancer Relief helps provide the expert care and practical and emotional support that makes a real difference to people living with cancer

Carers Support: Information for carers, service providers, and people who need support in making decisions, taking actions, or expressing their wishes about care or money matters.

Child Health: Practical Parenting Advice is a FREE  one-stop resource for parents and professionals wanting tips and support on child behaviour, development and family relationships. The Baby centre: is a  dedicated to providing information, support, and guidance during pregnancy and advice on up-bringing babies & toddlers. Bed wetting: Here you can find out all about wetting and soiling. Whether you are a child, a parent, or a professional. Immunisations: This site holds all information on NHS immunisations.

The Coeliac Society: dedicated to all aspects of Coeliacs disease

Diabetes UK: Diabetes UK is the largest organisation in the UK working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the condition

Diabetic Diets: A set of diet sheets for people with TYPE 2 Diabetes can be down loaded here

British Heart Foundation: The aim of the British Heart Foundation (BHF) is to play a leading role in the fight against heart disease so that it is no longer a major cause of disability and premature death.

Drug Addiction: For free confidential drugs information and advice 24 hours a day.

Smoking: ASH is a campaigning public health charity working for a comprehensive societal response to tobacco aimed at achieving a sharp reduction and eventual elimination of the health problems caused by tobacco. This site offers people wanting to stop smoking advice lines and proven methods of stopping smoking.

Travel Health: all aspects of healthy travelling, from vaccinations, DVT prophylaxis, malaria protection etc.. We also recommend that you contact MASTA prior to travel or phone 0113 2387575.