The section below provides a list of the most common questions asked about swine flu, what is swine flu, what is a pandemic, how is swine flu different from seasonal flu or bird flu, how to protect yourself and what the government is doing to help combat it.
Swine flu is different from ordinary flu because it’s a new flu virus that appears in humans and spreads very quickly from person-to-person worldwide.
Because it’s a new virus, no one has immunity to it and everyone could be at risk of catching it. This includes healthy adults as well as older people, young children and those with existing medical conditions. So far in the United Kingdom the disease is generally mild with most people making a full recovery within a few days, even without antiviral treatment. However, swine flu is proving more severe in a small number of cases.
Pregnant women and children with underlying health conditions seem to be more vulnerable to a more sever form of the disease.
A flu pandemic is a natural event that occurs from time to time. Last century, there were flu pandemics in 1918, 1957 and 1968, when millions of people died across the world.
Experts warn that another flu pandemic could happen soon, but they do not know when.
These pages aim to inform you about the current swine flu outbreak and pandemic flu and advise on the important measures to take if a flu pandemic breaks out.
Seasonal flu, caused by an existing flu virus, is a common infection in Northern Ireland that usually occurs during a two-month period in winter. For most people, it is an unpleasant but not life-threatening infection. People who are more at risk from it, such as older people, can be given a vaccine each year.
Bird flu, also known as avian flu, is influenza that, as its name suggests, is usually confined to birds. However, like swine flu, it can also sometimes be caught by people and by pigs.
It can also spread to people and it can be very serious. Deaths are possible but the degree to which this is a risk will very much depend on the virulence and ease of infection.
Swine flu is a respiratory disease and has some elements of a virus found in pigs. There is no evidence of this disease circulating in pigs in the UK and scientists are investigating its origins.
A pandemic occurs when a new flu virus appears in the human population and spreads from person to person worldwide.
It is expected that an outbreak of pandemic flu will cause more illness and potentially more deaths than ordinary flu.
The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to follow good hygiene practices. These will help slow the virus spreading and will be the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself and others from infection.
First, you should always carry tissues and use them to cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze. Then, throw the tissues in a bin as soon as possible and wash your hands with soap and water or use a gel sanitiser often. There’s a simple way to remember this. Catch It, Bin It, Kill it.
There are some other useful actions you can take now to prepare should you become ill with swine flu.
You should set up a network of ‘flu friends’. Flu friends are neighbours, friends and relatives who can help you if you get ill. For example, they could collect medicines, food and other supplies for you, so you don’t have to leave home if you are ill and risk spreading the virus further
To help you prepare you should keep up to date with the latest information on swine flu and follow public health advice and instructions. You can do this by watching TV, listening to the radio, checking the internet and looking out for announcements in the press.
Northern Ireland has been planning for a flu pandemic for a number of years, and its plans have been identified among the best by the World Health Organisation.
GPs and hospitals across Northern Ireland are working in response to the pandemic, and the Department of Health (DHSSPS) and Public Health Agency is working with WHO to monitor the situation.
Over the last couple of months, scientists have been developing a vaccine which is now available for use in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
One of the ways to lessen the symptoms is to treat those infected with antiviral medicine. Antivirals can’t cure swine flu but they can help you to recover. They can relieve some of your symptoms and the severity of the attack, however as with most medication, there are potential side effects. Antivirals have been stockpiled.
At this time schools should be operating normally. If your child is suspected of having a virus that might be swine flu — even if they are currently out of school — you should inform your GP and school.
There may be circumstances where localised closures of schools and child care facilities are necessary due to the number of people affected. In the meantime schools have been advised to ensure they pay extra attention to good hygiene.
Health and well-being
