Swine Flu Frequently Asqued Quesitons FAQ

Here are a few questions and answers to address the current concerns about swine flu. You can find out more details on the BBC website.

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

If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu:
Stay at home and check your symptoms using the National Pandemic Flu Service.
Call your GP directly if:

you have a serious underlying illness
you are pregnant,
you have a sick child under one year old,
your condition suddenly gets much worse,
your condition is still getting worse after seven days (five for a child).

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 or if a doctor decides that you are at serious risk of developing severe illness.

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,
reducing the potential for serious complications, such as pneumonia.

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

Goto page: 1 2 3 4 5 7 8

Swine Flu Advice Q & A