The UK has moved from the 'containment' to 'treatment' status, this means that our Doctors will no longer be taking swabs to be sent to laboratories for testing they will now diagnose on the basis of a patient's symptoms.
Please do not come to the Surgery
If you are aged between 17 & 64 and do not suffer from any other problems, you are not pregnant and are displaying symptoms of flu and wish to access antiviral treatment please telephone the National Pandemic Flu Service between 8am and midnight on 0800 151 3100 or use the website www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu
If you are 16 and under or over 65 or pregnant or have other health problems or are very unwell with flu please telephone the surgery and ask to speak to your doctor.
In order to control the risk of spreading this virus our receptionists will need to ask for some details from anyone who thinks they may have caught this illness.
All information will be passed to your usual GP or duty GP who will then contact you by phone to assess the risk factors and advise you of any relevant action that may need to be taken. They will need to know:
* If you have a temperature, over 38 degrees and for how long you have had it.
* A cough and sore throat is to be expected
* We need to know if you have any breathing difficulties
* How long you have been unwell.
* All contact telephone numbers for you
At all times we will maintain a responsible approach to ensure this illness is contained and not spread amongst our patients. If your Doctor diagnoses that you do have swine flu, they will discuss with you the benefits and disadvantages of prescribing an anti-viral medication for you.
If it is decided that you need an anti-viral drug, you can arrange for your prescription to be collected by a healthy friend or relative.
Most swine flu cases have not been severe and most patients recover by using paracetamol-based cold remedies, drinking plenty of fluids and self-isolating themselves, i.e. Staying at home.
In order to prevent the spread of any flu virus's there are a few vital rules that you need to follow good hygeine that will help prevent the spread of germs.
* Always carry tissues
* Use clean tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
* Bin the tissues after one use
* Wash your hands with soap and hot water or a santiser gel often
* Clean hard surfaces e.g. door handles, desk tops, telephones etc.
CATCH IT - BIN IT - KILL IT
For extra information call 0800 1 513 513 to hear the latest on Swine Flu visit www.nhs.uk or www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu
If you are travelling abroad you can check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice at www.fco.gov.uk/travel or call 0845 850 2829 for the latest information.