Swine flu alert as pupils return

A second wave of swine flu could be on its way.

The number of anti-viral drugs handed out in the North West has risen week-on-week to 764 from 522.

And an estimated 5,200 people in England went down with the virus last week compared with 3,000 the previous week.

Dr Ruth Hussey, North West regional director for public health said: “We always anticipated that there could be an increase once the schools returned.

“At the moment there is a small rise in flu-like illnesses and all the cases have been reported as mild.

“We will, however, continue to monitor the situation.”

Schools have received information from the Department for Children, Schools and Families and have been working with local NHS trusts and councils to ensure they are prepared and are taking precautions to limit the spread of the swine flu virus.

Dr Hussey said: “We need everyone to be vigilant over the next few weeks, and to continue to follow advice on hygiene.

“Parents and carers can help by reinforcing the advice their children are getting from schools, about washing hands regularly and thoroughly and covering mouths and noses when coughing and sneezing.

“There is some really useful advice for parents on the Health Protection Agency website.”
The majority of people who have had swine flu so far have described mild to moderate cold or flu-like symptoms.

Some of the symptoms are the sudden onset of a high temperature, cough or shortness of breath, headache, sore throat, tiredness, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose or a loss of appetite.

Anyone who thinks they may have contracted the swine flu virus can contact the National Pandemic Flu Service online at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu or call 0800 1 513 513 for information or 0800 1 513 100 for treatment.

If you have think you could have swine flu and have chronic lung, kidney or heart disease, are over 65, are pregnant, or if you have a child under five with symptoms, you should telephone your usual GP service rather than use the National Pandemic Flu Service.