As healthiness bosses warn of an enhance of flu, including swine flu, in schools across Cornwall, we’ve taken a check out just what to do if you fall ill.
Swine flu is the popular name for influenza (flu) caused by a relatively brand-new strain of influenza virus A. It was responsible for the flu pandemic in 2009-10.
The virus is officially known as influenza virus A/H1N1pdm09. The 2015-16 flu immunisation jab involves protection versus 3 types of flu virus, including H1N1pdm09.
Here’s just what to do if you believe you, or a relative, has actually flu:
When to see your GP
If you are otherwise match and healthy, there is usually no have to visit your GP if you have actually flu-enjoy symptoms.
See your GP if you have actually flu-enjoy symptoms and are at a greater risk ofcomplications of seasonal flu. This includes:
- children under two years old
- anyone over the age of 65
- pregnant women
- children and adults along with an underlying healthiness condition (particularly lasting heart or respiratory disease)
- children and adults along with weakened immune systems
Vaccination
The seasonal flu jab is offered for free on the NHS for those at risk and is provided as an annual injection to:
- adults over the age of 18 at risk of flu (including everyone over 65)
- children aged from 6 months to two years that are at risk of flu
- The flu vaccine is likewise readily available as an annual nasal spray to:
- children aged 2 to 18 years at risk of flu
- children aged two, 3 and four
- all kids in school years 1 and 2
How is swine flu treated?
The ideal remedy is to remainder at home, sustain warm and drink plenty of water to stay clear of dehydration.
You can easily take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lesser a higher temperature and relieve aches.
If further treatment is required or problems develop, medication is offered to handle flu caused by the H1N1pdm09 virus. This includes:
- antiviral medications – oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) assistance relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of significant complications
- antibiotics – to combat bacterial infections such as pneumonia, which might occur as a complication of influenza
If you are prescribed antivirals, you will certainly have to pay a prescription charge (unless your prescriptions are normally devoid of charge).
Preventing the spread of flu
The H1N1pdm09 virus is spread in specifically the exact same means as the common cold and others flu viruses.
The virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come from the nose and mouth Once somebody coughs or sneezes.
These droplets often spread concerning 1 metre (3 feet). They hang suspended in the air for a while, however after that land on surfaces, where the virus can easily survive for up to 24 hours.
Anyone that touches these surfaces can easily spread the virus by touching anything else. The virus is likewise transmitted by infected individuals that cough or sneeze in to their hands then touch others individuals or objects prior to washing their hands.
Everyday items at house and in public spots might have actually traces of the virus. These consist of food, door handles, remote controls, hand rails, paper your hard earned cash and computer keyboards.
People usually come to be infected by choosing up the virus on their hands from contaminated objects then putting their hands near their mouth or nose. It is likewise feasible to breathe in the virus if it is suspended in airborne droplets.
Good hygiene, such as hand washing and cleaning, is the a lot of efficient means of slowing the spread of flu. Antiviral medication and the seasonal flu jab are likewise readily available to individuals at risk.