Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

Latest advice from the NHS in Oxfordshire concerning Swine Flu

The following is the latest information and advice from Oxfordshire PCT about Swine Flu.

Be prepared - now is the time to choose your "Flu Friends".

Swine flu may become a pandemic in the UK over the coming months, so now is the time to choose your ‘flu friend’. A ‘flu friend’ can be relatives, neighbours or friends who will collect medicines, food and other supplies for you if you get swine flu, so that you do not have to leave home. Preventing people who may be suffering from swine flu from having to go outdoors will help restrict the potential spread of flu to others. For more information click here.

National leaflet "Important information about swine flu" is now available.

This leaflet contains important information to help you and your family. The leaflet is now available online here.

What is Swine Flu, and what should you do if you think you are infected?

Symptoms of swine influenza are similar to those of seasonal influenza, usually a feverish illness accompanied by one or more or more of cough, sore throat, headache and muscle aches. For most people this illness appears to be mild. Infection with this virus is treatable with the anti-viral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zamanivir (Relenza®).

If you have flu-like symptoms and have recently returned from Mexico or another affected country, or if you are concerned because you think you have been in contact with someone who may have swine flu:

• Stay at home.
• Check your symptoms if possible (links to external site)
• Call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 to hear the latest advice

If you are still concerned, call your GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Do not go into your GP surgery, or to a hospital, as you may spread the disease to others.

Health organisations in Oxfordshire have plans in place to deal with a pandemic, should it arise. We would like to reassure the public that the PCT continues to work in its preparedness phase of its flu pandemic plan, which covers our readiness to respond in an event of a flu pandemic. The plan considers local co-ordination, surveillance, and communications during a pandemic; how to limit spread; the response required from primary care, including our GPs, community staff, and community hospitals; our out-of-hours services and links with other NHS trusts and partner organisations. The plan is also supported by service operational plans.

For further information, please click here or contact:

• NHS Choices website
• Flu Hotline - 0800 1513513
• NHS Direct - 0845 4647
• Health Protection Agency website

What to do - "Catch it, Bin it, Kill it"

Everyone can take simple steps to help prevent the spread of colds and flu - 'Catch it, Bin it, Kill it'

Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze, CATCHING your germs disposing of the tissue as soon as possible into a BIN and washing your hands as soon as you can to KILL THEM are all important actions that can help prevent the spread of germs.

Research has revealed that people don’t understand what a huge difference using and disposing of tissues correctly and washing hands can make in helping prevent the spread of the common cold and the more serious flu virus. Most adults suffer two to five colds a year and infants and pre-school children have an average of four to eight.

If we all follow the simple rule of CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT, we can help reduce the spread of colds, flu and other viruses. We all have an important role to play in preventing ourselves, our families and others from spreading germs.

The messages of CATCH, IT, BIN IT, KILL IT are simple:

• CATCH IT
  Germs spread easily. Always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.
• BIN IT
  Germs can live for some time on tissues. Dispose of them as soon as possible.
• KILL IT
  Hands can transfer germs to any surface you touch such as door handles and telephones, so clean your hands as soon as you can.