Latest News - Swine Flu

SWINE FLU

Swine Flu Vaccinations

Children under 5 years old are now able to have the swine flu vaccination. Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust is advertising the service and so we will not be issuing letters to call children. Please contact reception to book an appointment.

If you are in the priority groups and have received an invitation to have a swine flu jab, please call the surgery to make an appointment.

We are providing blocks of time for swine flu appointments as the vaccine is sent to us in vials of ten doses and cannot be kept for more than 24 hours once opened. We do not want to waste any so please be understanding if we need to confine appointments to set times.

What is Swine Flu?
A breathing disease of pigs caused by type A flu viruses which regularly happen in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu but it can happen most often in people who around pigs but it is possible for it to spread from person to person too. The latest outbreak in Mexico indicates a more widespread human-to-human transmission. Swine influenza virus is not transmitted by food. There is no risk of catching the illness from eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products.

Symptoms
Symptoms are similar to ordinary flu and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat. Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea.

BE PREPARED FOR SWINE FLU

Make sure that you have everything in place in case you do catch Swine Flu and cannot leave home.

• See the flu friend information sheet and keep an up-to-date flu friend form handy.

Is treatment available?
Testing has shown that the human swine influenza H1N1 is sensitive to and can be treated with antivirals. Antivirals do not stop the flu from developing but they do subdue the symptoms and reduce the length of time people are sick.

If you are ill, or think you may be ill
Follow self care advice, including:

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Take medicines such as ibuprofen or aspirin to reduce fever and relieve your symptoms (do not give aspirin to children under 16)

Good Practice ? Catch It, Bin It, Kill It!

• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, use a tissue when possible.
• Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
• Maintain good basic hygiene, for example wash your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.
• Clean hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
• Make sure your children follow this advice.
• Travellers to affected areas are advised to consult a doctor immediately if they show signs of flu-like symptoms.
• Anyone who has recently traveled to the affected areas and is experiencing influenza like illness should stay at home to limit contact with others, and seek medical advice from NHS Direct 0845 46 47.

More information

If you think you have Swine Flu you can check your symptoms on www.nhs.uk  call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or the Swine Flu information line on 0800 1 513 513.

If you are still concerned you can call the surgery on 01295/758372 for a GP telephone assessment.

PLEASE DO NOT VISIT THE SURGERY OR GO TO A & E.

The Health Protection Agency link is http://www.hpa.org.uk

For UK travellers visiting or returning from the Unites States and/or Mexico can be found on the FCO website:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas