Swine flu: get the right advice (From Mid Devon Star)

Swine flu: get the right advice

11:36am Friday 3rd July 2009

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AS SWINE flu continues to spread, Devon Primary Care Trust is advising people to get the right advice.

The vast majority of people in this country have been affected only mildly by the flu and this remains the position for people living in Devon.

But increasing numbers of people are turning up at GP practices or local hospitals even if they don’t have symptoms.

Steve Brown, assistant director of public health at Devon Primary Care Trust, said: “The clear advice from us is that people should not attend walk-in centres, NHS hospitals or GP practices in person if they have symptoms.”

“Instead they should call the swine flu information line 08001 513 513 or visit www.nhs.uk where they can check any symptoms online.

“People should only call NHS Direct 0845 46 47 or their GP if they have used these information sources first.”

The request comes as the Government announced that people with swine flu will continue to be treated with antiviral drugs although the approach has been modified.

It will now be up to the GP to prescribe antivirals on diagnosis – rather than wait for the results of tests.

Although Devon as a whole is not adversely affected by the virus, there are pockets of activity, most notably centred on the University of Exeter.

A number of schools are also affected.

Devon Primary Care Trust has already put measures in place in response to today’s announcement and is well prepared.

It is working closely with the Health Protection Agency and Devon County Council.

The UK was one of the first countries to have a flu pandemic contingency plan in place.

This seeks to reduce the negative health impact of the pandemic and the possible disruption it may cause to essential services and people’s daily lives.

Mr Brown added: “The best method to avoid spreading the infection is still to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, disposing of it as soon as possible and quickly and thoroughly cleaning your hands.

“This is summarised as: CATCH IT: germs spread easily. Always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.

BIN IT: Germs can live for several hours on tissues. Dispose of them as soon as possible.

KILL IT: Hands can transfer germs to any surface you touch. Clean your hands as soon as you can.”

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