Health InsuranceSwine Flu In Somerset - Briefing Note, UK
Public health experts throughout the UK and Somerset are now implementing new national guidance regarding the treatment and management of swine flu in the UK.
Up until last week, public health doctors in Somerset had seen few "confirmed" cases of swine flu (only eight confirmed cases by 1st July) and were still implementing a process called "containment".
This involved isolating individuals who believed they might be infected with swine flu (asking them to remain at home); mouth swab testing them and sending their swab sample for laboratory testing and virus confirmation.
Close contacts of anyone "confirmed" with the H1N1 swine flu virus were being offered the antiviral drug, Tamiflu as a precautionary measure.
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.
Public health doctors are still stressing that in most confirmed cases of swine flu the patient has displayed only mild symptoms. The infection is "self limiting" and the majority of patients recover quickly after resting at home.
Since Thursday 2nd July and following an announcement by the Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham and the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, the Health Protection Agency and Somerset"s public health services are only implementing a "treatment" response to any clinically diagnosed cases of swine flu. ("clinically" diagnosed means a GP believes the symptoms shown by the patient look like swine flu)
The "Treatment" Phase
This "treatment" phase means that from now on:
- GPs will be able to diagnose and treat swine flu on the basis of patients" symptoms rather having to waiting for "confirmation" via
laboratory results
- The routine tracing of people who have come into contact with confirmed cases of swine flu will end. However people considered to be at high risk by their doctor may still be offered antivirals in some situations as a preventive measure.
- Schools and other institutions will close only if local circumstances warrant it, for example if a significant number of pupils or teachers are ill.
Advice To The Public To Reduce The Spread Of The Swine Flu Virus
- To help limit the spread of swine flu it"s important to make sure that if you have symptoms, you don"t leave the house - 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 http://www.nhs.uk
- Hygiene measures are important to help to reduce the spread of all viruses, including the swine flu virus. This includes:
* 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.
- 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.
NHS