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3 Charleston Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. Tel : 01 4975666 Fax: 01 4975660
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What is swine flu?
 
Swine flu is a type of flu (influenza). It usually affects pigs but it can also affect humans. The virus can be transmitted from human-to-human. Before spring 2009, the virus rarely passed from human-to-human. A new strain of the swine influenza virus called influenza H1N1v that spreads easily from human-to-human emerged in Mexico in spring 2009.

It has now spread to affect people in many other countries, including Ireland. When a strain of influenza spreads easily between humans and causes many cases in several countries, this is called a pandemic.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?

The symptoms are similar to the symptoms of 'ordinary' flu. Typically, people with swine flu have a high temperature (38 °C or greater). They also have at least two of the following symptoms: cough, sore throat, headache, runny nose, general aches and pains, vomiting or diarrhoea. 

These symptoms usually last for a few days and then usually completely go away. The incubation period (that is, the time between contracting the virus and the development of symptoms) is thought to be between two and five days, but may be up to seven days.

How is swine flu diagnosed?

The diagnosis is made by the typical symptoms. Because so many people now possibly have swine flu, a swab test to confirm the diagnosis is now impractical. Therefore, a 'probable' diagnosis is made by the typical symptoms.

What should I do if I think that I may have swine flu?

If you think you may be developing swine flu then government policy is that you should not visit your GP or hospital in the first instance. This is to reduce the risk of passing on the virus to others. Your first 'port of call' should be either by telephone or by using the internet (see below). You will be asked to answer a series of questions to try to clarify if you are likely to have swine flu. If you have swine flu symptoms then treatment with antiviral medication will be discussed (see below in the Treatment section).  

Note: you should contact your GP surgery directly rather than using the internet or Helpline if:  
  • You have a serious underlying illness. 
  • You are pregnant. 
  • You suspect your child under one year old has swine flu. 
  • Your condition suddenly gets much worse or you suspect a complication is developing (see below). 
  • Your condition is still getting worse after seven days (five for a child).

What are the possible complications of swine flu?

So far, experience with this virus suggests that most people fully recover. However, complications occur in some people and they can be serious and life-threatening. The most serious complication is pneumonia (lung infection) which may develop and may be fatal. 

Consult a doctor if you are concerned that a complication is developing. For example, if symptoms become severe or if other serious symptoms develop such as:  
  • Fast breathing or shortness of breath. 
  • Chest pains. 
  • Coughing up blood. 
  • Drowsiness or confusion.

What is the treatment of swine flu?

If it is suspected that you have swine flu then treatment with antiviral medication such as Tamiflu will be discussed. In particular, people considered at higher risk of developing complications are recommended to take antiviral medication. 

People at higher risk include:  
  • Children under five years old. 
  • Pregnant women. 

People of any age with: 
  • A poor immune system (for example, if you have HIV/AIDS, if you are receiving chemotherapy or steroid treatment). 
  • Chronic (ongoing) lung disease or asthma which has been medically treated within the last three years. 
  • Heart disease. 
  • Diabetes or another metabolic disorder. 
  • Chronic (ongoing) liver disease. 
  • Cystic fibrosis. 
  • Neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy. 
  • Sickle cell disease. 
  • Renal (kidney) disease. 

Antiviral medication does not kill the virus but interferes with the way the virus multiplies. Therefore, antiviral medication does not cure swine flu, or offer long term protection against swine flu. But, it may reduce the severity and duration of symptoms and may prevent complications. 

Usually, treatment is taken for five days. Antiviral medication is generally considered safe. However, as with any drug, there is a small risk from side-effects or reactions. For example, a small number of people who take TamifluŽ develop nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and headache. These are usually temporary and usually soon go away. Serious side-effects such as dangerous allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) have been reported, but are rare. 

If you are prescribed an antiviral drug, read the information that comes with the drug for a full list of possible side-effects and cautions. Unless you become very ill you will be treated at home. This will reduce the risk of the virus spreading to other people. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding then you can still take an antiviral drug. Treatment with antiviral medication should start as soon as possible, ideally within 12-48 hours of the onset of symptoms. 

If you are prescribed an antiviral drug, you should then ask a friend or relative who doesn't have swine flu to go and pick up the antiviral drug. As with other flu-like illnesses, paracetamol and/or ibuprofen will lower your temperature, and also ease aches and pains.

Should those who have been in contact with people with swine flu be treated as a precaution?

Giving treatment to all contacts is not currently recommended. The current recommendation is that if you are in a high-risk group (detailed above) and have been in prolonged contact with a person with swine flu, then treatment with antiviral medication may be considered.  

Examples of 'prolonged contact' include that you are living and/or sleeping in the same household, you are a pupil in the same dormitory, or you are a boy/girlfriend of a person with swine flu. The only exception is children under the age of one year, as there is less evidence to support the use of antivirals for the prevention of flu in this age group.

How can swine flu be prevented?

People with symptoms of flu should stay at home until they feel better. General hygiene is important to reduce the spread of swine flu (and other diseases). This includes:  
  • Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a clean tissue. 
  • Disposing of tissues promptly. 
  • Washing your hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based cleaners. 
  • Cleaning hard surfaces (such as door handles and work surfaces) frequently. 
  • Ensuring children also follow this advice. 
It is thought that the flu vaccine may offer some protection against swine flu. Further tests are being done to confirm this. Development of a vaccine for swine flu is underway.
 
Swine Flu Vaccination programme:
 
There is now a safe vaccine to protect us from Swine Flu and over the coming months, the HSE will offer a Swine Flu vaccine to the entire population.  People who are more at risk of swine flu are being offered the vaccine first. The next group who need vaccination are children from 6 months to under 5 years old and people aged over 65 years. During November and December the HSE  will write to parents of children in this age group and to older people inviting them to attend a HSE vaccine clinic. When these groups begin to be vaccinated the HSE will move on to begin vaccinating older children in schools and the wider population.

For further information on the roll out of the vaccination programme please visit the following site : www.swineflu.ie

Contact information

HSE Helpline: 1800 94 11 00 (24 hour freephone)
There is further information on the HSE websites  www.swineflu.ie and

http://www.ndsc.ie/hpsc/

Should you have any concerns please contact the surgery on 01-4975666