What to do if you have swine flu

24 Jul 2009, 12:35 pm   -   Source: SBS/AFP
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The Health Department is asking people with swine flu to avoid visiting their local doctor or hospital to prevent the disease from spreading. 

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There have been at least 15,000 cases of swine flu in Australia and the number of infections is increasing every day. 

The Department of Health and Aging is advising Australians who believe that they have caught swine flu to seek medical advice by phone rather than in person to help reduce the spread of infection. 

Typical symptoms are similar to the seasonal flu and include: a high temperature, cough, runny nose, sore throat, body aches and tiredness. 

The Department recommends that people with these symptoms seek medical care if they experience breathing difficulties, are concerned about their wellbeing or their health continues to deteriorate.

They should call a doctor, hospital or the Pandemic Hotline (180 2007).

Britain inundated with infections

This is similar to advice issued in Europe. 

Britain has launched a new Internet and phone service to help people identify symptoms of the virus and order new drugs. 

The website was flooded with more than nine million hits per hour after its launch last night. 

Britain is the worst-hit country in Europe, with 30 deaths linked to swine flu and 100,000 new cases of infection diagnosed in England during the past week. 

Children, Indigenous and sick more at risk

At least 44 people with swine flu have died in Australia, many of whom had underlying health risks or other medical problems. 

The Health Department warns that some people are more at risk from the virus and says medical advice must be sought at the first signs of illness in children, Indigenous people, pregnant women and those that have chronic medical conditions.

More extreme measures have been introduced in Britain where about 1,500 non-medical staff are working for the new telephone hotline. 

They can prescribe the anti-viral drug Tamiflu by using a checklist of questions to reach a diagnosis. 

But the most serious cases will still be referred to a doctor. 

Vaccine trials underway

The world’s first swine flu vaccine is being trialled in an Adelaide hospital and there are hopes that the vaccine could be issued to the public in October. 

But governments around the world are continuing to stockpile Tamiflu which is one of the two drugs recommended by the World Health Organisation to treat swine flu. 

The company behind the production of Tamiflu says it will increase its production of the drug to 400 million packs per year by 2010. 

What to do if you’re sick?

The Health Department says there are additional activities that infected people can follow to ensure their wellbeing. 

It’s important to stay at home and reduce contact with others by avoiding school or work while the infection is contagious. 

Resting is recommended to allow your body to use its energy to fight the infection. 

Ask others for help if you live a lone, are a single parent, or are responsible for the care of someone. 

The Department’s website also recommends: drinking plenty of fluids, taking simple analgesics and using saline drops or spray.
 

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Your Comments

i think i have swine flu

chelci - from adelaide, 3 years ago

what should i do if i have swine flu coz i am having sum symptoms of swine flu im so scared!!!

risk in not getting urgent treatment

josie davis - from bairbnsdale, vic, 3 years ago

My partner presented to a hospital emergency department with difficulty breathing, high fever, and all the typical symptoms, which were later confirmed as swine flu.
A junior, inexperienced doctor sent her home telling her she "just had an asthma attack", despite there clearly being a serious infection.
She was admitted via ambulance the following night with pneumonia and spent a week in isolation.
She could very easily be dead if we had followed the Health Department's advice.

Best Health Care

Peter - from Melbourne, 3 years ago

I enjoy the best health care money can buy... a $45 a week trip to the Fuit & Vegie shop and 4lt of water per day.
The healthiest countires are the ones with nearly zero 'health care' to help poison you into needing them.
The healthiest countries don't have Maccas or fast food or preservatives or emulsifiers or colours or flavours or chips, or cordial or any other garbage.
The healthiest countries in the world eat fresh fruit and vegies every day and live to 100+.

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