Swine flu (H1N1 Flu) - Important Hints




High-risk groups


It is already known that you are particularly at risk if you have:

chronic (long-term) lung disease
chronic heart disease
chronic kidney disease
chronic liver disease
chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease)
immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment)
diabetes mellitus

Also at risk are:

patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years
pregnant women
people aged 65 and older




Prevention
To reduce the risk of catching or spreading the virus you should
cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, using a tissue
throw the tissue away quickly and carefully
wash your hands regularly with soap and water
clean hard surfaces (like door handles and remote controls) frequently with a normal cleaning product

If you think you have swine flu

If you think you have swine flu symptoms, stay at home and contact your GP
They will be able to assess you and decide what treatment is appropriate
Antiviral drugs - Tamiflu and Relenza
Swine flu is being treated with antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza. Antiviral drugs work by preventing the flu virus from reproducing - to be effective you need to take them within 48 hours of the symptoms beginning. This can reduce the risk of complications and possibly shorten the illness by a day

Adverse reactions to Tamiflu

In some cases, antiviral medicine can cause side effects, such as
nausea
vomiting
diarrhoea
stomach ache
headache