swine flu take steps to stay well Get a flu jab, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, wash your hands often, keep warm and quit smoking

Transcription

1 swine flu take steps to stay well Get a flu jab, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, wash your hands often, keep warm and quit smoking Do you think you have swine flu? Visit Call the National Pandemic Flu Service: Textphone: (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing) Would you like more information? For general information about swine flu, telephone

2 What is Swine Flu? Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by a new strain of influenza virus. For most people, its effects are mild. But swine flu can be more serious for people with some health conditions and in pregnant women and young children. How is swine flu different from ordinary flu? Because it s a new virus, the majority of people will have no immunity to it yet which means that most people are at risk of catching it, including healthy adults. However, some healthy older people (over 65) appear to have some natural immunity to the virus. How serious is swine flu? For most people, swine flu is mild similar to seasonal flu. It comes on quickly and usually lasts for around 3-7 days. We have listed some symptoms of swine flu on the next page. Certain people are more likely to be seriously ill with swine flu. They may need to go to hospital and, in the very worst cases, some may die. Those in higher risk categories are: People whose immune system is affected by a disease or treatment for a disease People with certain long-term health conditions Pregnant women. It is especially important for these people to have a vaccine against swine flu (see page 6). The seasonal flu vaccines that are already available don t protect against swine flu, so a new flu vaccine has been developed. What are the symptoms of swine flu? Swine flu is very similar to seasonal flu. If you have a high temperature and two or more of the symptoms below, you can telephone the National Pandemic Flu Service to get advice (see below). You might have swine flu if you have a fever, or a temperature over 38 C/100.4 F, AND two of these symptoms: Unusual tiredness Headache Runny nose Sore throat Cough Loss of appetite Aching muscles Diarrhoea or vomiting. If you think that you might have swine flu: 1. Stay at home 2. Call (Minicom: ) or check your symptoms online by visiting Call your GP surgery directly if you think you have swine flu and: You have a serious existing illness that weakens your immune system, such as cancer You are pregnant You have a sick child under one Your condition suddenly gets much worse, or Your condition is still getting worse after seven days (five for a child).

3 How does swine flu spread? Swine flu viruses are spread when you cough or sneeze. They can live on hard surfaces, such as door handles, for a long time. You can take a few easy steps to help prevent the spread of swine flu. 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. If you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth with a tissue, those droplets can spread. If you cough or sneeze into your hand, those droplets will spread from your hand to any hard surfaces that you touch like door handles, computer keyboards, telephones, and the TV remote control. The flu virus can live on these surfaces for several hours. If other people touch these surfaces and then touch their faces, they can become infected. All cold and flu viruses, including swine flu, are passed on in this way. Stop germs from spreading wash your hands Wash your hands regularly. It makes a huge difference in stopping the spread of germs that cause colds, flu viruses, sickness and diarrhoea. Always wash your hands: After coughing or sneezing After using the toilet or bathroom Whenever your hands are visibly dirty Before eating snacks and meals What can I do to protect myself and others against flu? Consider being vaccinated, especially if you are in a high-risk group We have developed vaccines that will protect you against the virus that causes swine flu. There are two brands of vaccine: Pandemrix and Celvapan. Many people given the Pandemrix vaccine will only need one dose. People who have the Celvapan vaccine will need two doses three weeks apart. If you think you have swine flu, act promptly Antiviral drugs will not cure you, but can help you to recover if you take them within a few days of developing symptoms. Antiviral drugs will: Relieve some of the symptoms Reduce the length of time you are ill by around one day Reduce the potential for serious complications, such as pneumonia. Your top five tips for keeping well 1. Heat your home Set your heating to the right temperature (between C or F), to keep your home warm and lower your bills. 2. Get financial support You can get grants, benefits and advice to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating, or help with bills. If you re eligible, then make a claim. 3. Eat well Food is a vital source of energy, which helps to keep your body warm. Make sure you and your family have hot meals and drinks regularly throughout the day. 4. Get a flu jab If you or your children have a long-term health condition, you can get a free jab. 5. Look after yourself and others Remember to wrap up warm if you need to go out on cold days. If you have an older neighbour or relative, look out for them to make sure they are safe and well. You ll find more top tips by visiting 3

4 What else can I do? Keep an eye on elderly or infirm neighbours and relatives. To keep yourself safe, it s also a good idea to set up a Flu Friend who will collect a prescription for you if you become unwell. Look out for your neighbours If you have any older neighbours or relatives, look out for them during winter to make sure they are safe and well. Keep an eye on single parents with young children and anyone with a chronic illness or who is vulnerable to illness due to disability. Is your neighbour alone? Have you got their phone number? Set up a network of Flu Friends Join a group of neighbours, friends and relatives, that can support each other if they become ill, and include networks of vulnerable people. Having someone collect medicines, food and other supplies, so that no-one has to leave home, is especially helpful. Organise a network now, with a list of numbers near the phone, and keep a close eye on those who are vulnerable. Go smokefree: don t smoke and don t breath other peoples smoke Going smokefree isn t easy, but it will make drastic improvements to your life and health. If you or your friends or relatives don t know where to start, speak to your local NHS Stop Smoking Team. You re four times more likely to quit if you use this service. Stop Smoking advisors are linked to many GP practices, pharmacies and local health clinics. Contact Barnet Stop Smoking Service free on Why is getting vaccinated a good idea? Because swine flu is a new strain of virus, the majority of people won t have immunity to it, and younger people are especially vulnerable. The new vaccines, will help to protect you and your family against the virus. The swine flu vaccination will: Help protect you Help protect your family and other people who are close to you as you are less likely to pass on the virus to them Help protect you against future waves of infection caused by the virus. Is it the same as the seasonal flu vaccination? No. The swine flu vaccine is different from the seasonal flu vaccination that s offered every year. The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against swine flu. If you are usually advised to have the seasonal flu vaccination, you should have it. You might be offered the swine flu vaccine as well. Are the new vaccines safe and effective? While the Pandemrix and Celvapan vaccines are new, they are very similar to an existing flu virus strain vaccine. These new vaccines have undergone clinical trials involving many thousands of people, including the elderly and young children, which showed them to be as safe and effective as the seasonal flu vaccine. The trials showed that people tolerate the vaccines well and produce enough antibodies to provide protection. They have therefore been licensed by the European Health Agency as safe for use. Previous studies have also shown that changing the strain of virus in a vaccine does not alter its safety and effectiveness. The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against swine flu. You will need to have the swine flu vaccination to be protected. For more information on swine flu vaccinations, you can download copies of the Swine flu vaccination: what you need to know leaflet from or call (quote ref ). 5 6

5 PALS are here to help: The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) provides confidential help and advice to patients and carers. For further information please contact the PALS team on or If you require this information in large print, please contact the Communications Department on If English is not your first language and you need an interpreter to explain this document, please telephone Gujarati Translation: Gujarati Farsi, Albanian Nëse ju nevojitet përkthyes për t'jua shpjeguar këtë dokument, ju lutemi telefononi Dari Turkish French Cantonese Portuguese Urdu Arabic a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a Japanese Somali Haddii aad u baahan tahay turjume kuu sharxa dokumentigan, fadlan soo wac talefoonkan Mandarin Spanish Polish recycle Greek Tamil þôàò¾ Ãò ¾ô ÒÃ óð ûç Á Æ ÀÂ ôà ÇÃ ý ¾Å Áì þôàò¾ Ãò ¾ô ÒÃ óð ûç Á Æ ÀÂ ôà ÇÃ ý ¾Å ÁìÌò ¾ Å ÂÉ ø, ¾. ±.-³ò ¾ ¼ Ò û À ÇÃ ý ¾Å ÁìÌò ¾ Å ÂÉ ø, ¾. ±.-³ò ¾ ¼ Ò û. NHS Barnet Westgate House, Tel: Burnt Oak Broadway, Fax: Edgware HA8 0AD Go smoke-free with NHS Barnet! Contact the Barnet Stop Smoking Service for help Designed and produced by ACW