This area contains the following information about Swine flu:
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Swine flu is normally found in pigs but human cases can and do happen. This strain of swine influenza contains a combination of genetic material typical to avian, swine and human flu viruses. Transmission of this new swine influenza virus is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Antiviral drugs are available which can effectively prevent and treat the infection but the situation is constantly changing so please keep checking these pages for the latest information.
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As swine flu continues to be present in Hastings, the health authorities are urging everyone to identify a number of family members or friends who can become your Flu Friends, and help if you become unwell. Your Flu Friends could be relatives, neighbours or friends who can collect medicines, food and other supplies for you if you get Swine Flu, so that you don't have to leave your home. This will help to prevent the spread of flu out into Hastings. Your Flu Friends should be people who live relatively close to you and be people that you would be happy to share your personal health details with.
The helpline is available for anyone in Sussex who has become ill with flu-like symptoms, accessed the National Pandemic Flu Service or contacted their GP, and has been offered antiviral medication but is unable to find a Flu Friend who could collect the medication for them. The service will provide easy to access, fast help for anyone who is vulnerable when they are unwell.
You will be asked a few simple questions including your name, address, telephone number and the unique access code you have been given from the National Pandemic Flu Service to access your antivirals. The operator will then arrange for a British Red Cross volunteer to collect the antivirals and deliver them to your home.
You will then need to show them a piece of your identification when they arrive to receive their antivirals.
This service can also be used by GPs, nurses and all primary care providers on behalf of their patients, when they come into contact with someone who will be unable to find someone who will pick up their medication for them.
The helpline will be available during working hours (9am-5pm). Out of hours there is a recorded message giving directions on how to contact the British Red Cross directly.
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Visit www.directogov.uk for the latest seasonal advice about swine flu.
A new self-care service which will give people with pandemic swine flu symptoms fast access to antivirals was launched on Friday by Health Secretary Andy Burnham.
The National Pandemic Flu Service is a new dedicated website and phoneline for people with flu-like symptoms. From today if you are feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms you can visit www.direct.gov.uk or call the phoneline on 0800 1 513 100 (Textphone 0800 1 513 200) to check your symptoms and if necessary be authorised for antiviral treatment.
If you are offered antiviral treatment, you will get a unique number which will give you access to antivirals. You will also be told where your nearest antiviral collection point is. You should then ask a flu friend - a friend or relative who doesn't have swine flu - to go and pick up your antivirals taking with them the unique number you were given.
Your flu friend must also take with them a form of identification to prove your identity and their own. Suitable ID includes:
The authorisation number and ID information will then be checked at the collection point to ensure it matches the information provided when the assessment of symptoms was completed.
Anyone who suspects they have swine flu is advised not to go to their GP or A&E.
However, people should call their doctor direct rather than using the National Pandemic Flu Service if:
Health Secretary Andy Burnham said:
"The National Pandemic Flu Service will give patients access to information and antivirals as quickly as possible. It will free up GPs so they can focus their efforts on helping those in at risk groups and patients with other illnesses.
"People can still speak to their GP if they are concerned. In fact - it is important to stress that people with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, and parents with children under the age of one should speak to their GP if they have symptoms.
"For the vast majority of people, swine flu has been mild. Some people find that they get better by staying in bed, drinking plenty of water and taking over the counter flu medication."
Up to two thousand call operators are being trained for a minimum of three hours. Less experienced call operators will be trained for a day. Strict industry standard regulations are in place when employing staff. These include the right to work in the UK (therefore no illegal immigrants), satisfactory employment references and satisfactory character references.
Doctors from the Royal College of General Practitioners will have a special liaison role with each of these call centres and will feed back problems or concerns that arise during the operation of the service.
As swine flu spreads, it is important to be able to recognise its symptoms. People who have two or more of the following symptoms and a temperature of 38°C and above or feels hot may have swine flu.
The typical symptoms are:
Other symptoms may include:
Everyone can reduce the risk of catching or spreading swine flu (or any infection) by maintaining good basic hygiene, such as always covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, disposing of dirty tissues promptly, and carefully and regularly washing your hands.
If you do have any concerns about swine flu please call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513513. Further information is also available on the NHS Choices website.
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Health services now need to spend their time and energy treating the increasing numbers of people who have the Swine Flu virus which is why the government has now stopped trying to contain it and is focussing on treating it. In Hastings, this means that:
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With any pandemic, getting the right information in a timely fashion can be crucial to you and your family's health. We've gathered together the very best advice out there to save you time and help keep you in the picture as the situation develops.
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With the Swine Flu pandemic gathering pace, it is quite likely that many businesses in Hastings will be disrupted as both employees and customers are affected by the virus.
The Business Link website has everything from Department of Health guidance for employers in the workplace to the latest advice from the Health and Safety Executive.
The Cabinet Office also has advice for businesses at: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
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Your first port of call should be your doctor:
Hastings Primary Care Trust's website has a comprehensive list of doctors in Hastings.
For recorded information and advice, you can contact NHS Direct's Swine Flu line on:
0800 1 513 513.
For general advice from a real person you can contact NHS Direct on:
0845 4647.
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People most at risk of developing complications from swine flu are being urged to have the swine flu vaccination when they are offered it.
Four priority groups have been identified by the Department of Health as those most at risk, and people in these groups are starting to be contacted by their GP across the county.
The groups are:
Peter Hayward, Flu Director for NHS West Sussex, said:
"It is vital we protect those most at risk from this virus. Although the majority of people in Sussex have so far only experienced mild symptoms, people in these groups have been identified because they do have an increased risk of catching swine flu and becoming very unwell if they do. We would encourage everyone in these groups to make sure they know about the vaccine and to have it when they are offered it by their GP.
"The swine flu vaccination really is your best defence against the virus, and not only protects you, but also your family and friends . If you are invited to have the swine flu vaccination, please take it."
The majority of people in the four priority groups will receive their swine flu vaccination at their GP practice.
The first deliveries of the vaccine to GP practices are underway in Sussex. It is an ongoing programme during the next two to three weeks. Further deliveries will then continue after that.
Peter added:
"It is an ongoing programme so GP practices are staggering their invites to make sure the vaccine is ready and available for you when you are invited in. Please do not worry if you have not heard from your GP practice yet, you will be contacted in the coming weeks.
"In the meantime, if you are in an at risk group and have any particular questions or concerns about the vaccine please visit www.nhs.uk or contact your GP."
More information can be found at www.westsussex.nhs.uk.
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This page last updated: 20/11/2009