Following the Secretary of State's recent announcement, the NHS response to swine flu has now moved from 'containment' to a 'treatment phase' to manage the swine flu pandemic. This means GPs will now diagnose cases on the basis of clinical observation rather than laboratory testing. Everyone who has flu-like symptoms will be assessed by a doctor and may be offered antivirals to manage their illness, if appropriate.
Routine swabbing of suspected cases has stopped and the Health Protection Agency no longer traces close contacts. The distribution of antiviral medicines for prevention is no longer normally recommended due to the virus being widespread within the community. This means that people are likely to be repeatedly exposed to the virus in their every day lives so such precautions are now ineffective.
So far, the north east has not experienced the high number of cases seen in other areas of the country. However, it’s likely that numbers will soon rise and it is no longer realistic to continue to try to slow the spread through identifying and treating individual cases and their close contacts.
People who think they have swine flu should first go online and check their symptoms on www.nhs.uk, or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Alternatively, they can call their own GP who will be able to provide a clinical diagnosis and appropriate advice on treatment over the phone. Further information is also available through the Swine Flu information line on 0800 1 513 513 or on the Health Protection Agency's website at www.hpa.org.uk/swineflu.
People should not turn up in person at their GP practice, walk-in centre, A&E or any health clinic – this is to help contain the spread of the virus in health care settings where there may be other vulnerable patients.
It is important to be aware that if people are diagnosed with swine flu they should stay at home until they are free of symptoms and have completed their course of antivirals if they have been prescribed. This is to avoid spreading the infection as much as possible.
The only people who need to refrain from their normal activities (such as going to school or work) are those who have been diagnosed as having swine flu. People who have contact with a diagnosed case (e.g. at work or at home) do not need to stay away from either school or the workplace. As long as they have no symptoms they should continue with their normal daily routines. It is important to remember that flu is usually spread from one person to another only when an infected person has symptoms (e.g. coughing and sneezing).
General infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including swine flu. This includes: