Swine Flu - parties, pets and more.

Is it possible to catch swine flu twice?

Yes, because the virus can mutate (change). If you become infected with the swine flu virus, your body produces antibodies against it, which will recognise and fight off the virus if the body ever encounters it again. However, if the virus mutates, your immune system may not recognise this different strain and you may become ill again, although you may have some 'cross protection' due to encountering a similar virus previously.

Should I have a 'swine flu party' or try and catch swine flu now, so I will be immune to more serious strains that may emerge later?

No - it is irresponsible to purposefully catch the virus as you may perpetuate the spread. Also, as we don't yet know the profile of the virus, it is too soon to assume it is only a mild infection. And catching swine flu will not necessarily protect you from strains that may emerge later (see Is it possible to catch swine flu twice?).

Can my pet catch swine flu?

There is currently no evidence that pets are susceptible to this new strain of flu. The swine flu virus appears to be passing only from person to person or from human to swine. In general, flu viruses commonly infect just one species; for example, dogs and cats do not get seasonal flu from their owners.

What can I do?

You can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading swine flu by:

Always covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and warm water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face, or to other people.
Cleaning hard surfaces, such as door handles, frequently using a normal cleaning product.
You should also prepare now by:
Confirming a network of 'flu friends' - friends and relatives - who could help you if you fall ill. They could collect medicines and other supplies for you so you do not have to leave home and possibly spread the virus.
Knowing your NHS number and those of other family members and keeping them in a safe place. It is not essential to have your NHS number in order to receive treatment, but it can help NHS staff to find your health records. You will be able to find your NHS Number on your medical card or other items such as prescribed medication, GP letter or hospital appointment card/letter.
Making sure you have adequate quantities of cold and cough remedies in your medicine cupboard in case you or your family are affected by swine flu.

Who should be wearing a facemask?

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) recommends that healthcare workers should wear a facemask if they come into close contact with a person with symptoms (within one metre) to reduce their risk of catching the virus from patients.

However, the HPA does not recommend that healthy people wear facemasks to go about their everyday business.

Why shouldn't the general public wear facemasks?

Because there's no conclusive evidence that facemasks will protect healthy people in their day-to-day lives.

The virus is spread by picking up the virus from touching infected surfaces, or by someone coughing or sneezing at very close range - so unless you are standing close to someone with the virus, wearing a facemask will not make a difference. There are concerns about the risks posed by not using facemasks correctly. Facemasks must be changed regularly as they are less effective when dampened by a person's breath. People may infect themselves if they touch the outer surface of their mask, or may infect others by not disposing of old masks safely. Finally, wearing a facemask may encourage complacency. People need to focus on good hand hygiene, staying at home if they are feeling unwell, and covering their mouth when they cough or sneeze.

So why have other countries gone down this route?

This is an issue which each government has considered separately. France is encouraging the general public to buy their own masks for use as a precaution, but it is not stockpiling masks centrally from government funds and neither is the US.

In other countries there is an existing culture of wearing facemasks for either the prevention of spreading illness or preventing the risks of pollution; this is not the case in the UK.

What should I do if I think I'm infected?

If you have flu-like symptoms, check your symptoms with this tool at NHS Direct.

If you are still concerned, stay at home and call your GP, who will be able to provide a diagnosis over the phone. If swine flu is confirmed, ask a healthy relative or friend to visit your GP to pick up a document entitling you to antiviral medication. They will then need to pick the medication up at a collection point your GP will advise on (a local pharmacy or similar). In the meantime, take paracetamol-based cold remedies to reduce fever and other symptoms, drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest.

Do not go into your GP surgery, or to a hospital, as you may spread the disease to others.

If I have been in close contact with an infected person, do I need treatment?

You only need antiviral treatment if you have been diagnosed with swine flu and your doctor decides it is necessary, or if a doctor decides that you are at serious risk of developing severe illness (see Will antivirals be given to people without flu symptoms?).

The government is no longer trying to contain the virus because it is now widespread in the UK. It is not effective to give antivirals to people who are not ill, as they will be repeatedly exposed to the virus in the community.

Is swine flu treatable?

Testing has shown that the swine flu can be treated with the antiviral medicines oseltamavir (brand name Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). However, the drugs must be administered at an early stage to be effective.

See Treatment for more information, next web page

The UK already has a stockpile of antivirals sufficient to treat half the population. Also, orders of Tamiflu have been placed to increase UK supplies to 50m doses, enough to treat 80% of the population.

What do antivirals do?

Antivirals are not a cure, but they help you to recover by:

relieving some of the symptoms,
reducing the length of time you are ill by around one day, and
reducing the potential for serious complications, such as pneumonia.

How large is the UK's stockpile of antivirals?

The government has 23 million treatments of Tamiflu and 10.5 million treatments of Relenza. Orders of Tamiflu have been placed to increase UK supplies to 50m doses, enough to treat 80% of the population.

Is one of the antivirals more appropriate for pregnant women and people with certain kidney conditions?

Relenza is an inhaled drug that will be used for pregnant women and people with certain kidney conditions who are unable to take Tamiflu. See the section on Pregnancy and children.

Will antivirals be given to people without flu symptoms?

In most cases, no - the virus is now widespread and it is no longer appropriate to try and contain the spread of the disease (see If I have been in close contact with an infected person, do I need treatment?). Antivirals will generally only be given, at a doctor's discretion, to people who have been diagnosed with swine flu.

Doctors should not offer antiviral medication as prophylaxis (prevention) to contacts of cases unless, for example, a household member has serious underlying health problems or there are other special circumstances.

Will my child experience nausea if they take Tamiflu?

As is the case with many medicines, nausea is a known side effect of Tamiflu, in a small number of cases. Symptoms may lessen over the course of the treatment. It may help to take Tamiflu either with or immediately after food, and drinking some water may also lessen any feelings of nausea.

How are those with confirmed swine flu getting access to antivirals?

If antivirals are required, the person's GP will give them a voucher reference number over the phone (see How is swine flu infection diagnosed).

A healthy friend or relative can then use this to pick up antivirals from the person's local collection centre - usually a pharmacy or community centre.

Should people be stockpiling their own antivirals?

No. The government has a stockpile of antivirals sufficient to treat half the population, and is taking steps to increase this to cover 80% as an extra precaution. Therefore, antivirals should be available for everyone who gets ill in the pandemic and there is no need for people to buy their own.

Does Tamiflu go out of date?

The government has a programme to replace any expired doses under a 'rolling stock' system.

If I take an antiviral and have side effects, whom should I inform?

First, see your healthcare professional to check that you are ok. Then, report your suspected drug reaction to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) via their new online system. This new webpage, based on the Yellow Card Scheme, helps the MHRA to monitor the safety of Tamiflu and Relenza.

Anyone who does not have access to the internet can ask their healthcare provider to send a report on their behalf.

check your symptoms online.