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It is important that you know the symptoms of swine flu so you can recognise it in yourself and others at an early stage.
So far, most swine flu cases have been mild, with symptoms similar to those of seasonal flu. Only a small number of people have had more serious symptoms.
If you or a member of your family has a fever or high temperature (over 38°C/100.4°F) and two or more of the following symptoms, you may have swine flu:
- unusual tiredness
- headache
- runny nose
- sore throat
- shortness of breath or cough
- loss of appetite
- aching muscles
- diarrhoea or vomiting
It makes sense to have a working thermometer at home, as an increase in temperature is one of the main symptoms.
What to do
If you have flu-like symptoms, stay at home, take plenty of rest and use over-the-counter painkillers to relieve symptoms. If you are concerned, contact your GP, who will determine the most appropriate action to take.
High-risk groups
For most people, swine flu is a mild illness. Some people get better by staying in bed, drinking plenty of water and taking over-the-counter flu medication.
However, some groups of people are more at risk of serious illness if they catch swine flu, and will need to start taking antiviral medication as it is confirmed that they have it.
It is already known that you are particularly at risk if you have:
- chronic (long-term) lung disease
- chronic heart disease
- chronic kidney disease
- chronic liver disease
- chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease)
- immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment)
- diabetes mellitus
Also at risk are:
- patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years
- pregnant women
- people aged 65 and older
- young children under five
It is vital that people in these higher-risk groups who catch swine flu get antivirals and start taking them as soon as possible.
Outlook
For most people, the illness appears to be mild. Cases have been confirmed in all age groups, but children and younger people seem much more likely to be affected. To date, fewer cases have been confirmed in older adults.
For a minority of people, the virus has caused severe illness. In many of these cases, other factors have been identified that are likely to have contributed to the severity of the illness.
Where complications do occur, they tend to be caused by the virus affecting the lungs. Infections such as pneumonia can develop.
More details about Swine Flu CLICK HERE
