Protect yourself from swine flu
Anyone who comes into contact with the virus would be at risk of catching it so following good hygiene practice is the single most important thing to protect yourself and others from infection.
This means that you should:
- always cover your nose and mouth with a paper hankie whenever you cough or sneeze
- bin the hankie as soon as you can
- wash your hands with soap and hot water regularly, particularly after using a hankie. This prevents the virus spreading to things you and other people touch such as telephones and door handles
Things you can do to prepare in case you become ill with swine flu include:
- keeping a small stock of basic foods in the cupboard or freezer in case you can’t shop as regularly as usual
- ordering repeat prescription medicines in plenty of time
- identifying one or more ‘flu friends’ – neighbours, relatives or friends who can keep an eye on you, collect medicines or go shopping for you, if you are ill
If you think you have swine flu symptoms, you should stay at home and contact your GP who will be able to assess you and authorise anti-viral medication if you need it.
Swine flu vaccination
A vaccine is now available to protect against catching the swine flu virus.
It is being offered at the moment only to people most likely to become seriously ill if they catch swine flu.
This includes adults with long term health conditions such as:
- chronic lung diseases such as COPD
- chronic heart disease
- chronic kidney or liver disease
- diabetes treated with insulin or medication
- conditions that affect the nervous system such as Parkinson’s disease
- some treatments for cancer that make your immune system less effective and so make you more vulnerable
If you have one of these conditions you should have been contacted by your GP practice and invited to have the vaccination. Get in touch with them now if you have not been contacted.
Further information
If you have would like more information about swine flu or the vaccination programme:
- Call the swine flu information line on 0800 1513 513 to hear a recorded message
- If you can use the internet, the NHS Choices website www.nhs.uk includes information, FAQs about swine flu and a flu symptom checker
- If you think you might have swine flu, there is a flu symptom checker on the NHS Direct website at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
