In most cases in the UK, swine flu causes a mild illness
Flu is common: there are thousands of cases across the world every year. Swine flu is different because it’s caused by a new strain of the flu virus which most people do not have any immunity to.
Symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing, sore throat, pain in muscles and joints, headache and chills. Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea.
To help limit the spread of swine flu, don’t leave the house if you have symptoms – don’t visit your GP or hospital. You should phone your GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or go to the website www.nhs.uk
Hygiene measures are important to help to reduce the spread of all viruses, including the swine flu virus.
If you’re not poorly and do not have any symptoms, there’s no reason that you shouldn’t continue to go about your daily routine.
Advice on simple hygiene measures include:
Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and using a tissue when possible
Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face or to other people
Cleaning hard surfaces (such as door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
More information
If you want more general information about swine flu you can:
call the Department of Health’s automated swine flu information line on 0800 1513 513 for recorded information
go to the Health Protection Agency’s website at http://www.hpa.org.uk.
or see the Sheffield NHS website at http://www.sheffield.nhs.uk/swineflu/
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