H1N1 (Swine) Flu

Scotland, along with the rest of the UK, has now moved from a containment phase to the treatment phase for dealing with pandemic flu. The decision has been taken jointly by all four UK health ministers. This means a focus on treating cases of flu and an end to routinely tracing contacts of confirmed cases to try reduce the spread of the virus. It also means an end to routine testing to confirm whether patients have H1N1 flu.

The H1N1 flu vaccination programme has now started in Scotland. In the first phase, vaccination will be offered to those people most at risk of complications if they catch H1N1 flu. These groups are:

· Individuals aged between six months and up to 65 years in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups Sneezing Woman

· All pregnant women

· Household contacts of immuno-compromised individuals

· People aged 65 years and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups

GP surgeries across the Borders will be inviting patients in the high risk groups to attend the surgery to receive their vaccination over the coming weeks.

Patients with underlying health conditions are more at risk from complications if they catch H1N1 flu, we would urge anyone who is offered the vaccine to take up the offer. The vaccine will also be offered to frontline health and social care staff to protect them and reduce the risk of staff passing the infection to vulnerable patients.

If you have questions about the H1N1 vaccination, please contact the Scottish H1N1 Flu Vaccination Helpline 08000 282 816 - this is a specific number to provide information on H1N1 vaccination. More information on the vaccination can be found on the Scottish Government Health Department website.

If you have flu-like symptoms, the first thing you should do is call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24 or your GP. They will give you advice and arrange for you to see a health professional if you need to.

You should not go to your GP surgery, community hospital or to the accident and emergency department as you might spread the illness to other people. Only go if you are advised to do so by a health professional or if you are seriously ill. The symptoms to look for are:

  • Fever (a body temperature higher than 38°C)
  • Respiratory symptoms such as a cough or runny nose
  • Sore throat

You may have other symptoms such as:

  • Body aches/chills
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhoea or vomiting
  • It is worth noting that other types of flu viruses are also currently circulating and therefore anyone with these symptoms does not necessarily have H1N1 flu.

It is a good idea to establish a network of flu friends who can help you. For example, a flu friend could collect medicines, food or any other supplies so you don’t need to leave your home if you are ill.

If you need antiviral medication, your GP will prescribe them for you. Most people with H1N1 flu will recover fully and quickly without the use of antivirals. In the Borders, a limited number of community pharmacies have stocks of antivirals and your GP will tell you where the nearest one is.

You should arrange for a flu friend to collect your antiviral medication on your behalf. They must be aged 16 or over and should not have any symptoms of flu. They may be required to show identification when collecting the antiviral medication and they must take the prescription with them. If you are collecting antivirals for your child, you should not take your child with you. If your GP is in England, you will probably need to go to an antiviral collection point in England to collect your medicines.

If you are pregnant, you are at a greater risk of complications from H1N1 flu, as you would be with any type of flu. The risk is still very low and very few pregnant women have been infected with H1N1 flu. The advice to pregnant women is as follows.

  • You are not advised to stop your normal activities such as going to work, travelling on public transport, attending events and family gatherings
  • Observe good hand hygiene procedures
  • Wherever possible, avoid contact with someone who is known or suspected to have H1N1 flu
  • If you have flu-like symptoms, it is recommended that you should contact your GP as soon as possible, who may advise treatment with anti-viral drugs.

If you’ve had contact with someone with flu-like symptoms, watch out for any symptoms in yourself and those around you especially in the following seven days.

To protect yourself and others against flu the most important thing is to follow good hygiene practices. When you cough or sneeze it is especially important to follow the rules of good hygiene to prevent the spread of germs:

  • Always carry tissues
  • Use clean tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze
  • Bin the tissues after one use
  • Wash your hands with soap and hot water or a sanitizer gel often

There’s a simple way to remember this: CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT.

To find out more about the virus and how you can protect yourself, go to the NHS 24 website at www.nhs24.com or the HPS website at www.hps.scot.nhs.uk. You will also find more information on the Scottish Government Health Department website, including the national leaflet, which has information about Influenza H1N1 flu and how it could spread and what has been done to prepare for a wider outbreak of flu. There is also specific information giving: