SWINE FLU
The symptoms of swine flu are just like ordinary flu : all of these: - Feeling very unwell - Temperature - Aches and pains - Cold symptoms, cough Plus diarrhoea in some people Do not confuse flu (feeling very unwell) with a cold (feeling a little unwell).
If you think you might have Swine Flu DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY. Treat like normal flu with paracetamol and fluids.
Most symptoms will pass within 48 hours If you have a pre-existing problem of chronic lung disease, diabetes, asthma, are on immunosuppressant drugs or pregnant, ring for a telephone flu consultation.
Anti-viral treatment
MOST PEOPLE WILL NOT NEED ANTI-VIRAL TREATMENT The treatment for most will be the ordinary remedies, Paracetamol or Cocodamol and fluids which you can get from the chemist. The only people who will use antiviral are the under 5's, and those with pre-existing illness.
Contacts of people with Swine Flu DO NOT NEED ANTI-VIRAL DRUGS unless they have a pre-existing illness of chronic lung disease, diabetes, asthma, are on immunosuppressant drugs or pregnant Antibiotics are of no help unless there is a secondary infection on top of the Swine Flu