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Date: 09 Feb 2020

By: admin_campbell

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Swine flu (H1N1)

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Swine flu (H1N1)

Introduction

Swine flu is the H1N1 strain of the virus that caused a pandemic in 2009

The swine flu pandemic

In 2009, swine flu spread quickly around the world, before dying down in the spring of 2010. This type of global outbreak is known as a pandemic.

The virus was first identified in Mexico in April 2009. It spread rapidly from country to country because it was a new type of flu virus that few people had full resistance to.

Flu pandemics are a natural event that occur from time to time. In the last century, there were flu pandemics in 1918, 1957 and 1968, when millions of people died across the world.

The 2009 swine flu virus proved to be relatively mild and the pandemic was not as serious as originally predicted. As in other countries, most cases reported in the UK were mild.

There were a small number of cases that resulted in serious illness and death. These were mostly in people with pre-existing health conditions, such as cancer, that had already weakened their immune systems.

Swine flu is a relatively new strain of influenza (flu) that was responsible for a flu pandemic during 2009-2010.

It is sometimes known as H1N1 influenza because it is the H1N1 strain of virus.

On 10 August 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the swine flu pandemic was officially over. However, this does not mean that swine flu can be ignored.

The swine flu virus will be one of the main viruses circulating this winter. It has therefore been included in the 2012-13 seasonal flu vaccine.

Vaccination

It is recommended that people in high-risk groups be vaccinated against swine flu. This includes all pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy.

Pregnant women in high-risk groups and those not in high-risk groups are advised to take the seasonal flu jab, which protects against swine flu.

This is because there is good evidence that all pregnant women are at increased risk from complications if they catch swine flu. For more information, see swine flu advice for pregnant women.

For general information about flu, see seasonal flu and seasonal flu jab.

What to do if you have swine flu

People with swine flu typically have a fever or high temperature (over 38C or 100.4F) and may also have aching muscles, sore throat or a dry cough (see symptoms of swine flu). The symptoms are very similar to other types of seasonal flu. Most people recover within a week, even without special treatment.

Contact your GP if you think you have swine flu and you are worried. They will decide the most appropriate action to take.

The National Pandemic Flu Service no longer operates.

High-risk groups

Some people are more at risk of complications if they catch flu. People are particularly vulnerable if they have:

chronic (long-term) lung disease
chronic heart disease
chronic kidney disease
chronic liver disease
chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease)
immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment)
diabetes mellitus

Also at risk are:

patients who have had drug treatment for asthma in the past three years
pregnant women
people who are 65 years of age or over

See preventing swine flu for a full list of people advised to have this year’s flu jab.

Preventing the spread of swine flu

The most important way to stop flu spreading is to have good respiratory and hand hygiene. This means sneezing into a tissue and quickly putting it in a bin. Wash your hands and work surfaces regularly and thoroughly to kill the virus.

Anyone who is concerned about flu symptoms should contact their GP, who will determine the most appropriate action to take.

For more information about how the H1N1 virus spreads, see causes of swine flu.

Page last reviewed: 12/10/2012

Next review due: 12/10/2014

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Comments

The 95 comments about ‘Swine Flu’ posted are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

susanxx said on 12 January 2012

I have been ‘out of sorts’ since the end of October 2011 and by the Wednesday before Xmas (21/12/11) I knw I was coming down with something and on Xmas day I thought I had a cold. However on Boxing day the severe fever and fatigue told me I was a bit worse than first thought. However by the Tuesday (27/12/11) I thought I was getting better, but by the next day I was feeling rough again. Since then I have had fevers, sore, dry , painful throat, dry hacking cough, fatigue, shivers, nightmares, herpes creeping up into my nostrils causing severe pain not to mention l;ooking like a leper! I saw a doctor on Monday (9/01/12) and was given some cream for my nose and antibiotics for what ever it is I have, the word ‘viral’ was used! I am unable to function mere everyday tasks without stopping after one burst of energy. Is this swine flu?

strathclyde said on 01 June 2011

I had the the swine flu in early december (I have an egg allergy). Since about mid dec i began to feel unwell (at that time did not have a GP). On 1st Jan I went=t to local AE department – doctor informed me to get GP asap. I registered in Feb. Symptoms: excessive fatigue; painful joints and muscles; swollen feet and legs; pain and reddish colour in lower legs; sickness and vomiting; fever (temp 33-39), very wet hair at nape of neck; headaches, diarrhea; somulance, lack of appetite, loss of flesh in arms; very dry and hot mouth, on waking from sleep great difficulty in breathing and swallowing. My GP has prescribed certirizine(10mg) and a general vitamin tablet. All the above symptoms are still prevalent and most disabilitating. Have you any suggestions?
I suffer from arthritis, have had treatment and surgery so is under control.
Thank You

mich29dub said on 27 April 2011

Hi there. When I was pregnant with my third child I had the swine flu jag. The nurse said to me before receiving the injection, "there are allot of symptoms with the injection, some are not known" she also told me, "we cannot garante you that it will not affect the babies growth or development" That was not a warming feeling for me but I would rather have taken the risk than to catch it and not survive as wine flue was at its worse stage at this point in glasgow. After having the jag, I felt normal although I had a sore arm which is normal after an injection. 5 hours later, I was braking into sweats and I ended up incredibly ill. I was bed bound for three days solid. I was seeing things that was not there. It was a horrible feeling.

User534488 said on 03 March 2011

Parents Beware!

my little one aged 3 1/2 contacted swine flu, last january 2011/ december 2010. Presented with similar flu symptoms, cough, colds then the high temperature. brought him to GP surgery week after week as his condition worsen, he was diagnosed as having tonsilitis treated with antibiotics, more than 2 weeks on, brought him back again to his sugery – this time seen by a nurse practitioner, being a nurse myself i know something is terribly wrong with my child, i told her i think we need to do a swab for him. She said ” oh no, i’m pretty sure its just tonsilitis lets give him another antibiotics” went home and 2 days later he developed diarrhoea and vomitting, phone them back to say these because i said i think this d and v is just a coincidence because he’s never had d and v with antibiotic before, brought him back again and see a doctor this time and i insisted that he shoulde be swabbed ! he refused to do so for the reason that i’m pretty sure its tonsilitis because his tonsils were really swollen and most of the time we only give antibiotics to pacify patients/relatives (the nerve of that doctor !), 2 days later, we took him to hospital, they took bloods(which indicate viral infection), x-ray w/c is normal and they are again sending us home with paracetamol and advise to give him plenty of fluids ….. the poor child could barely stand as he was really weak……. then i practically beg the doctor to please swab him as i really think he’s got swine flu, luckily she listened to me and it was positive so he was admitted in the hospital, it was heartbreaking to see your child go through all this just because health practitioners were incompetent!

My advice is that trust your instinct, i know they say that probably 70-80% of people walking in the street could possibly be positive for swine flu but they should review these so called ” compromised/vulnerable groups” because i think children should be included in these group.

hjs1975 said on 28 February 2011

I’m pretty sure I’ve just had swine flu. Started with a sudden-onset dry cough, then aches, chills, extreme fatigue and headache, with upset tummy getting worse towards the end. The weird feature for me was/is the swollen eyelids, which I notice some other people on this page have had too. I wonder whether this is diagnostic? I’ve never had it before except when I had Epstein-Barr (glandular fever)

Incidentally I’m pretty sure I picked it up in Paris last weekend – ?

DavidT79 said on 16 February 2011

I was diagnosed with swine flu on 30 December 2010.

That evening I suffered from ARDS ( adult respiritory distress syndrome ) brought on by this & pneumonia.

I was sedated & put on a life support machine for 14 days !!!!! Was in hospital for a total of 5 weeks.

Of the 12 people admitted with swine flu to that hospital only 45 % survived and they were all young & healthy.

SWINE FLU IS DEFINITELY A KILER !!!!

DavidT79 said on 16 February 2011

I was diagnosed with swine flu on 30 December 2010.

That evening I suffered from ARDS ( adult respiritory distress syndrome ) brought on by this & pneumonia.

I was sedated & put on a life support machine for 14 days !!!!! Was in hospital for a total of 5 weeks.

Of the 12 people admitted with swine flu to that hospital only 45 % survived and they were all young & healthy.

SWINE FLU IS DEFINITELY A KILER !!!!

FJR1 said on 13 February 2011

Hi I have recently suffered the worst flu-like symptoms in my life during the last 10/12days mainly – Sore throat,cough,aching all over, runny nose and severe headache and finally diahorrea in the early/latter stages. Have basically just kept warm, had plenty of fluids and paracetamol. Planning to visit gp again tomorrow as will need a fit-note for a few more days off work. Would really like to go back to work but think it would be prudent to gived it a few more days, its certainly taken it out of me have been so weak and had no appetite. Was it -is it swine flu? It seems to have died a death in the papers but believe me it is alive and kicking this winter.

tinawobs said on 04 February 2011

Hi, has anyone else been left with back weakness after 5 weeks? All the muscles still ache, but I’m not sure if the pain and tendency to seize up are still part of this, or are related to the lymphoedema in my arm it’s also left me with (had a double mastectomy 5 years ago, but no lymphoedema until now). Any other post- cancer sufferers having the same problem?

FrankSz said on 31 January 2011

There seem to be 2 main illnesses, in terms of symptoms, going round that might be classified as Influenza without proper diagnosis:
1) Lasts for several weeks, identical to viral pneumonia, causes lung complications (nodules, pleurisy, sharp pains breathing), initially with temperatures and coughs, flu-symptoms, but followed up by weeks of pulmonary complications
2) 5 days of 39C+ temps , very nasty coughs, cough gets worse as fever declines.

I think that basically a couple of strains of unusual influenza are going round, but there is an atypical viral pneumonia going round too. Either that or one of the flu strains is highly irregular.

papichuchu said on 30 January 2011

To all of you…if you have or think you have Swine Flou and get the medication for it…eat plenty whilst taking it. I felt worse at first because the tablets were awful..but I wasn’t eating,
Eat and take the tablets and they are fine and help a great deal

jetty said on 27 January 2011

I’d love to have an explaination as to why my post was removed when i told people not to have certain things as these can cause complications with flu…..

lucylou83 said on 26 January 2011

Anne183 i have exactly the same symptoms as you. Am on week 4 now but feel like i’m turning a corner. I coughed up some blood last week so I had to have a chest x ray, I think worrying about the results has made the illness last longer. But it’s a nasty virus and it’s nice to come on here and see that i’m not the only one that it’s lasting weeks and weeks for. I hope everyone feels better soon…

Anna Phalaxis said on 23 January 2011

I logged in to see whether there is any perceptible difference between "common Flu" and "Swine Flu". The only one that I can see is the name. Symptoms otherwise are pretty much identical. Except, of course, that we each of us who develop the syndromes show varied amounts of each symptom – temperature, headache, muscle aches, low energy, sickness etc. Methinks that clearly the flu is the result of our own physiology and the virus is just there for the ride. We set ourselves up and the flu rides in – whatever shape or form the virus might have. The result is we purge ourselves of both the virus and the grotty state we’ve let ourselves get into beforehand.
Before I face a firing squad for insensitivity, I must add that I know people die during bouts of influenza but the bulk are old and/or infirm in some way. Several thousand are recorded as meeting their deaths in this way each year in the UK alone. Recently, however, young children and pregnant women have been found to die during a case of flu. Surely they should normally be able to come through such an illness with ease as we mostly do. What, then, is causing this small group to suffer such a terrible fate? Rather than just warning everyone that "Flu is a very serious illness" I think there should be urgent and intense research into what has gone wrong for this tragic small section of our community. If we knew that then we could all face any bout of "seasonal flu" with clearer understanding of the nature of the illness.

Anne183 said on 22 January 2011

I have just returned to Australia from Scotland visiting my daughter in Edinburgh over xmas and new year. I am sure I have Swine flu as I just cannot overcome this debilitating feeling going on now for 3 weeks. Sweats, sheer fatigue, chest congestion but can’t cough, swollen eyelids, muscle pains but no runny nose. Have just been given course of antibiotics to clear chest after another doctor told me I was fine. I feel terrible and cannot get off the bed. Paracetamol or Nurofen seems to be the only respite. Stay strong everyone, we will survive!

Loopy87 said on 21 January 2011

Iv woke up this morning and im ten times worse than yesterday . iv got nothing left in me to fight

squidgy965 said on 20 January 2011

Loopy and SJS, had virtually the same experience, started on 28 December with flu like symptoms, tried to go back to work on 6th Jan but just too weak, a week later still worn out, still coughing but nothing else until my heart started pounding and became breathless. I hadn’t been to the doctors up to then but decided now was the time to do so. Got an appointment for virtually 24 hours later, symptoms still the same, I walked in explained all I’d been through and that my breathing wasn’t right he took one look at me and said ‘you’ve got sinusitis’ I said I haven’t I’ve had that before, No you have he replied or some other type of infection, here’s some antibiotics and I want you to have some blood tests. The helpful receptionist gave me an appointment for a blood test for 7 days later (today). 4 Days later and I’m worse, made another appointment and made sure I got a different doctor. He immediately announced that he was very worried about my breathing and prescribed Tamiflu and some steroids & I’m to go back to him tomorrow, he couldn’t believe I’d been diagnosed with sinusitis. Anyway my breathing/heart beating improves in waves then returns, I’m exhausted, look like the living dead and worried like the rest of us who are searching for answers with not much joy. Back to the doctors tomorrow.

squidgy965 said on 20 January 2011

jdribs said on 20 January 2011

yes loopy i feel exactly the same and doctor said the same its just a virus but i feel so ill i cant even eat anything or if i do it comes out both ways its horrid hope you get better soon

Loopy87 said on 20 January 2011

Iv been ill with this flu like illness for a month …I had my Appendix taken out on the 9th of december 2010 By the 19th of decemeber i started to feel the first effects of the flu, i was rushed into hospital on the 23rd of december twice unable to breath was told it was a panic attack due to stress of being off work and ill ! On christmas morning (25 december) i woke up and was vomiting everywhere. Was taken to a urgent care clinic where my temperture was up at 39.5 They wanted to admit me but claimed i didnt have a underlying condition ( i think having a operation just over 2 weeks before was a underlying condition but hay ho ) was told to come back later if i continued to get worse. But i some how managed to get through the next 2 days on the 27th jan i was back in hospital again my body struggling to deal with the strain of the flu was just told to get cold and flu remidies ( im allergic to paracetamol so cold and flu remidies are no good to me ) so again i had to struggle on my own again ..by the 31 i was starting to feel better , Iv gone back to work at the begining of jan , iv only been feeling 100% a week and it seems iv been struck down again but ten times worse its dragging me into a deep depression as i cant accept that its just bad luck i feel honestly its something more but what can i do if my doctors dismiss it? i live in leicester and there has been a number of reported and confirmed cases some have even died from it so of course im worried as my immune system is not coping with it properly … i work in the city center and more likely to catch it as there are thousands of customers that pass through my work place on a daily basis im reallly at my wits end 🙁 dont actually know what to do anymore.

sjs202 said on 19 January 2011

On the 22nd December i became ill with cold and flu like symptoms. however instead off taking a day off, i had to work through it due to pressure from clients and no one else free to do the work. By the end of that week i felt a bit better and thought it had gone and was glad just in time for the christmas holidays. however, since then i have not felt 100% right. On new years day, i woke with a bad hangover and just thought that was all it was. but a couple of days later i felt really ill, with weakness, dizzyness and a bad cough that seemed to come and go. Last week I had never felt so sick in my life. I literally cant get rid of whatever it is. It feels like when you feel that you are really pale in your face, but through your whole body. I have not been back to work in the new year, as it just wont go away. I thought i was better last week and seemed to be fine on friday, only to be back to square one on saturday afternoon. Feels like every time i get up i get weak and fell like i need to lie down again. I have been to the doctors and all they could say was that it was a viral infection and to see how i get on! Not even a mention of swine flu at all! So not sure it what i have is swine flu. Im still not back to work and just seem to wake up exactly the same every day, it doesnt get better, doesnt get worse, doesnt turn into anything else either, although the cough is now pretty much gone. Starting to wonder if ill ever feel right again. and am getting really depressed as just cant leave the house to go to work or see friends or do anything at all. has anyone else had similar experience?

loz 27 said on 17 January 2011

MY QUESTION IS CAN U CATCH IT TWICE?? My son got it in 2009 he was 4yrs old and hes now 5yrs old and woke through the night with a terrible headache, temp and back pain (which is the first signs)
To LaraCroft my son got swine flu he was 4yrs old at the time (october 2009) and hes still on inhalers for his chest so u might be best going back to ur Gp and maybe looking at getting one ur self sorry to be telling u that but my Gp said it was nothing to do with the swine flu but another Dr said it is!!! Hope ur better soon x

Kirsty_1241 said on 16 January 2011

Hi Im curious? I am in an at risk group but havent had the jab yet and was wondering with myself being in an at risk group if my whole house hold would be entilted to the swine flu jab? I keep looking on the internet but cant get any answers all i keep getting put on to is blog pages or news pages I plan on contacting our doctor as I have a 5 year old 4 year old and a 9 month old and am obviously worried with the news and everything that keeps coming up with it

LaraCroft said on 14 January 2011

I am a fitness instructor and have had this swine flu for 10 days. It’s has completely floored me, and my cardiovascular health is very good, I am 45 years old but my lung function is that of a 20 year old. I have never felt so ill in my life and wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I assumed that being so fit would help if I caught swine flu but this isn’t the case. My throat is still bad, 10 days on, and I still can’t catch my breath properly. Not sure when I can go back to work as I rely on my lungs to teach my classes! Don’t underestimate this flu strain, it’s not nice and it doesn’t matter how fit you are, it can make you really ill.

keesha45 said on 14 January 2011

im extremely dissapointed with the nhs and government- i am a young mum with children and weve all got very low immune systems. forever catching coughs and colds- i went to the doctors just today to ask for the swine flu jab for us all but they wouldnt saying only people with underlying illnesses could get one-please somebody tell me how many people have died from this whos fit and healthy-alot more than already ill people-its disgusting!!! they cant afford to make anymore yet they relying on us tax payers to help banks out. this world is going to the dogs and nobody cares about the lifes of others clearly!if you want the jab you should be able to get it no matter the age or health!

xxLisa1405xx said on 11 January 2011

I was really really ill about a week ago now, i started feeling real crappy with headaches, chills blowing hot and cold, runny nose and ached all over and had no energy.
I was in bed for 2 days solid, i couldnt move but by the thrid day (this was the day i was due ot go back to work!) i felt much better. I did have waves if sickness for the next couple of days but im ok now…. makes you think whats going around at the moment, this obviously was a 48 hour bug and i thought i was dying so i vcant imagine how you guys have been feeling. Its veryt scary to think that this is going around and anyone can catch it. Im so scared as i have a little 3 year old boy and just so scared he will catch something. The doctors are not giving the flu jab to under 5’s at our doctors and just want him to be protected but i cant :o(

juliemehmet said on 09 January 2011

I am a 44 Year old Woman whom in June 2006 Suffered a Heart Attack. For the past couple of days i have been feeling really fluish, high temp, runny nose painful joints and also a severe pain in my head when i cough or sneeze and the pain don’t go away it just lessens until the next cough or sneeze. I Keep falling in and out of sleep anytime of the day. and also wake up during the night. Constantly cold and hot with sweats. My eyes feel like they are on fire. All my symtons are saying swine flu but i don’t know. My Pregnant Daughter lives with me and is having a C-Section on tuesday and my other pregant daughter comes to my house every day… I am very concerned about this. Should i be. I am lying down typing this and it has taken me 46 minutes to type this short Message.

danny h said on 09 January 2011

i first took bad Tues night 4th jan with symtoms as ( banging headache, Ear aches, sore throat, nose running, whole body and muscles aching and weak, sore chest with breathing problems, random stabbing pains all over body, sweating loads feeling cold but actually red hot and sickness and diarreah. I checked online and these symtoms relate to swine flu so I rang the doctors and explained this over the phone and they asked me to go down and see the nurse (which i was suprised at) i could hardly move so it took all my strength to get there and the nurse had the cheek to say its just a bit of cold thats going round and what your reading on the news and press is getting out of hand! basically couldnt get me out the docs quick enough. 5days later and the only thing wrong with me now is a really sore thoat whcih will be off all the coughing i guess. I took 2 paracetmol every 4 hours with ibruprofen. i also had strepsils for the thoat and had a lemsip before bed and when i woke . i tried to drink about 3 pints of water a day and 2 glasses of flat lemonade ( grandmas orders) and plenty rest .

katie2001 said on 08 January 2011

I’m a thirty year old healthy, fit person. I started feeling achy, with chills, sore throat, nausea, night sweats and generally feeling worn out on the 22nd of December. I was in bed for 4 days over christmas before I started to feel like I was improving. Although I never felt 100% and still had a really bad hacking cough I thought I was on the mend but yesterday felt terrible and am now back in bed, too weak to do anything. I feel like I’ve been beaten up as everything aches and all my muscles hurt from coughing so much. I haven’t taken Tamiflu as I’m worried it might make things worse and also seems a bit late to go down that road. This is the worst I’ve ever felt! I’m sure the government aren’t aware of how many people are suffering as a lot of people are using over counter medicines and not going to the gp. I feel so sorry for anyone that gets this that has asthma etc. Hopefully by the end of week three this will be over and I’ll feel normal again. 🙁

tess_2011 said on 04 January 2011

iv had a headache, and sore throat for nearly two weeks now, iv bin sleeping much more than usual day and night and i feel hot and cold, last night i started to get a cough and its hurts my head n chest everytime i cough, does anyone know if this could be swine flu or could it be something else?

sophie300 said on 04 January 2011

I have four daughters and are all healthy! But my youngest daughter, she is 2, she has been very very ill lately! She has had stomach upsets, restlessness, aching… we went to the doctors they told us it was a cold, and it would go! but she became worse so i took her to the hospital a few times and they didn’t know what it was!?! they did more tests and they thought it was swin flu, that was their only solution. She is fine now, but this went on for about a month, and she is perfectly healthy now! It was very strange how it went on for so long, and suddenly went! :/

kpackham said on 04 January 2011

Joanne – I’m not a medical professional but I’m certain that if you have coughed up blood you should go to your GP. It doesn’t matter if you feel better now or when you get there (we all do that sometimes), but you must get that checked out as that’s more extreme than the average cough you get with flu. It won’t help your daughter if you get worse again or what you think is flu is masking something else.
Just remember – if you are really that sick (or have been) then visiting your GP isn’t making a fuss, it’s a benefit you have in this country that you should use.

Jane Bunnette said on 04 January 2011

Joanne, I know what you mean about feeling like you’re making a fuss and symptoms seeming to clear up when you get to the doctors, that has happened to me too.
I was off work for a week in mid November with cold/flu symptoms, took me another couple of weeks before I felt better but never felt I’d got over it properly and still had a dry irritating cough. It became full blown cold/flu symptoms again from last Thursday and have had a very painful sore throat thats kept me from sleeping over the last five nights, plus the coughing. Coughed up bloody phelgm too last night so rang the doctors this morning, but said I was worried about being infectious if I came up, so they advised to ring to speak to the doctor between 12.00 and 12.30. Can’t get thru anyway, but NHS online symptom checkers/info seem to advise waiting for 10 days to see if symptoms improve before contacting the doctor, so I guess I need to give it another 4 days anyway.
Have heard of others saying that they’ve never had such bad bouts of flu lately, so I guess its just a waiting game and trying to do as little as possible in the meantime – easier said than done for many!

JOANNE ROXBURGH said on 03 January 2011

I’ve been ill with a cold/flu sinse the 1st week of dec,mainly with a horrible cough and sniffles,but the cough was so bad i could never sleep,i thought i was getting better just before christmas but it has seem to got worse,the cough came back witha vengence,i could hardley move,i ache everywhere,was being sick,throwing up blood, but i think thatw was due to coughing,now im still coughing but not as bad but i have lost my voice,i have earache and blocked ears,i can move around more but i attempted to go out for a hour of fresh air yesterday,but was back with in 20 as i felt like i was going to pass out,I have colds and flus before this is nothin like anything i have had,its more didfficult as i am a single mum,I just want to get better for my daugher,Didnt want to go doctors as didnt want to make a fuss,also whenever i have made an appointment in the past i seem to be much better when i get there,so its seems a waste of time.

Magsmills said on 03 January 2011

I am really worried my husband is 64 and has been ill since the 13th Dec had 2 lots of anti biotics and is getting worse he went for an Xray the other day and havent had the results but he hasnt slept for weeks he has a terrible cough bringing up lots of rubbish
I really think he has pneumonia and after reading the posts I am certain he has this swine flu
He has a high temp and is very tired all the time this isnt like him
Thank you I am taking him the hospital firt thing tomorrow

northeasthotdog said on 02 January 2011

i had all symptoms apart from vomiting or dihoreah. the muscles pain has eased and temp gone down. stll v bad cough and runny nose and headaches andtired all the time. havent been to doctors though as im not in a risk group.

rll98348134 said on 30 December 2010

My boyfriend was feeling unwell since christmas eve, and was having high fever , sore throat and headache. and he has been diagnosed swine flu last night in the hospital. after we return home with the medication been prescriped by the doctor(paracetamol and ibuprofen). and we been told drink plent water and rest.i am worry is there any other medication can help us apart from paracetamol and ibuprofen?

Xan said on 24 December 2010

Hightown, I am NOT a doctor but to the best of my knowledge an egg allergy is not a case of differences between battery, free range or organic eggs. As I understand it, it is because of proteins and antigens that are present in the egg, not the rearing practices.

Hope this informs you. If you’re able and eligble then get the vaccine H1N1 is a nasty strain.

dubs244 said on 24 December 2010

Can anybody tell me where to get my healthy 1 and 4 year old the flu jab. Doctors say only people with pre-existing medical conditions. Supermarket pharmacy won’t give it to under 18’s. Yet the chief medical officer is in the media complaining about poor take up

lukeN10 said on 23 December 2010

get your flu jabs at a pharmacist – mine was done by the tesco pharmacist. break the nhs monoploy!!!

User179713 said on 23 December 2010

well so far ive been off my feet 4/5 days – 1st day i can look at a compputer screen.
larna – influenza is a virus so antibiotics dont have any effect but dont stop taking the antibiotics they will help fend off seccondery infections while yer imune system is trying to get u back heathy

Frank of notts said on 22 December 2010

I have two grandchildren, aged 1year and 3 years and the news is indicating that swine flu is on the increase and a number of young people in the last week have died from the illness. However because of the ages of my grandchildren ( under 65 ) and not being in an "at risk category" e.g not pregnant or with certain medical conditions they have been refused a swine flu vaccination. Is this a sensible public health policy? Last year, it is my understanding, they would have been entitled to a swine flu vaccination. Has their been a change in policy. If there has, what is the reason for this.We are even prepared to pay for the vaccination but understand that this is not possible. Although ASDA offer this at £8 per person they will not give it to children under 5 years of age. Surely vaccination is all about reducing risk to individuals and overall cost to the N H S. in treating people with the illness.
I do hope from a public health policy aspect someone reconsiders the current guidelines on the qualification criteria for the vaccination.

larna1990 said on 21 December 2010

im 29 years old and been ill for 3 weeks now and im not getting better,ive been sick headache my eyes were hurting and my legs are achein.But now ive got a bad chest and throat and shortness of breath and ive had this for 2 weeks.Also got fem on my chest.can anyone help me? Ive been to the docs and he gove me antibiotics and there not helping and i just want to be better now

mouse_ said on 17 December 2010

I recently met with a few friends one of whom was ill with a flu like virus. Her partner also had it. Since meeting several of our group have come down with almost exactly the same symptoms and our friend, who is a nurse, was tested for H1N1 and it came back positive so there is a strong possibility that we have all contracted it. My own GP prescribed me tamiflu as I am feeling very poorly and I am in a high risk group and another friend went to pick it up from Boots for me. Boots do not stock it and have to order it in. They couldn’t promise that it would be there for tomorrow which means as they are closed on Sundays the earliest I will get it is Monday, several days after the symptoms started. Tamiflu is intended to be taken within 1-3 days of the onset of symptoms so what is the point of Boot’s not stocking it so that people can take it when needed? It seems ridiculous that they don’t stock at least a small quantity.

BettyHill said on 13 November 2010

Sir,
The folly of producing a vaccine in time when humankind is inevitably revisited by an equivalent of the Spanish Flu (SF), is human madness. It is like going to war, letting the enemy take over and then fighting a gorilla war from the outside trying to fight after the event with weapons that we ‘hope’ will save us. Who would ever rely upon such foolish thinking for our ultimate wellbeing? But, that is what in reality we are doing addressing killer pandemics. Allowing it to happen first and then trying to fight it with vaccines that just simply will not come in time – for the time from detection to mass production is at least 4 months longer than the end of a killer pandemic when it has done its worst according to history. The reason, the vaccine was only given to 23% of the US population after 13 months 1 week in last year’s swine flu pandemic (thank God it was just a mild one that only killed around 18,000 across the globe). For the SF took away in a horribly dying way, up to 100 million lives between week 16 and week 26, some 7 months before 23% of the equivalent US population had been immunised at the beginning of this year. Therefore we would all be well dead including our naïve politicians before we received anything, as again, the first vaccine was passed by the regulators just 7 months 1 week after initial identification, then we have to start mass-producing which takes a few more months and does not even include the logistics nightmare of mass global distribution. This madness is therefore only lining the pockets of global pharma and where all our real efforts should be in prevention at the very start and never letting it happen in the first place. For that is the only way that we will stop up 1 billion and maybe more, dying at the hands of the next killer pandemic that does reside in the future for us all according to Margaret Chan, D-G of the WHO. http://avian-influenza.cirad.fr/content/download/1931/11789/file/Kennedy-F-Shortridge.pdf

EL89 said on 04 November 2010

My Father had swine flu and had become very ill from it. He had been left with atrial fibrillation after the swine flu disappeared. I was very sad to learn that we had not recognised the symptoms due to lack of knowledge, however I am very thankful that some wonderful Doctors and Nurses took great care of him and he is now at his target IMR range and doing well. The main thing for that I kick myself for not recognising is the rasping and weezing soung soung every time he breathed in and out, it got so loud that it sounded like we had a bad draft somewhere in the house!
My main concern is.. although it is NOV 2010, is swine flu still about? Has it just ceased due the warmer months and will now return in full force?
Also I’m sure I read somehwere that we cannot build an immuntiy to this particular virus and that you can have it more than once, is this true????

damian58 said on 22 October 2010

My 80 year old mother had a bad reaction to swine flu jab last year , ok with seasonal one, she had to be put on strong antihistamines and eventually steroids tio get it under control and was pretty unwell for 3-4 weeks.
If she can’t have just the ordinary vaccine she won’t be having any this year.
greta thinking by someone up high!
does anyione know if you can get just the seaonal jab?

Maestro said on 19 February 2010

What i cant figure out is that the they have millions of jabs available but they are not allowing people without health conditions take the jab, on top of that they say that the demand isn’t there. What do you expect to see if you aren’t even allowing people to take on the jab. Its real stupidity and they say its dangerous as well. So why not just allow the general public to go and get their jab.

Jo30 said on 17 January 2010

Hi my husband my 5 yr old daughter and my self all had the swine flu jab yesterday morning.
After about 7 hours we all felt abit sore and abit tired but nothing that bad.
Today my self and my daughter both are still abit sore and have a red lump around the area , i feel the same when i have a tetenus its no different , people react in different ways.
But i feel we were not explained any of these symptoms , it was me that looked i feel these doctors should take the time or give a hand out to people.

windermere said on 20 December 2009

my partner had the swine flu injection three days ago.i wish she had not had it.she has been in awful pain from the injection site causing her terrible suffering and it is still the same today.her arm has become swollen and she has had a constant headache and a sore throat with it as well.it would have been less severe to actually not have the injection and get swine flu which in most cases is pretty mild.before having the injection she was told there was no known side effects which is far from the truth.my advice is be prepared in advance to become unwell for something that is supposed to protect you from illness.

kmcrae said on 19 December 2009

my wife is 23 weeks pregnant and not had the jab, she became ill with high temp, cough, sickness and passed out.After finally getting her admitted to hospital they have told me it is 99% chance swine flu.She is now on 9 drips and on a breathing machine as she can live without it.This has now been 48 hrs and no sign of getting better.I cant believe you have to get so ill and demand like hell before your Gp does anything, all i can say is thank god the hospital is not this way.I would advise all pregnant ladys to have this jab asap, i know like my wife you might not be able to make your mind up, but i dont want to see anyone else go though this, as now i just have to wait to see what happens!

ke1009 said on 17 December 2009

I’m in a high risk group (suppressed immune system due to prescribed medication). Last week I had to argue with my GP’s receptionist to put me down on a list to get an appointment for the swine flu jab. I could not believe I had to do that. If you are at a higher risk then make sure you push to get it, you mightn’t ever get called by your GP!

Ola09 said on 02 December 2009

It seems most of my family had the flu about 2 months ago. Started with my husband who is normally very healthy, nothing can get him down; he felt unwell quite suddenly when he came home from work. His temperature slowly rose, and no amount of paracetamol and ibuprofen was helping – his temperature got to 41.2 at one stage! Which was when I called our GP and him for a visit. Fortunately it didn’t get any worse after that, just the usual flu-like symptoms, temperature slowly going down, but he was in bed and completely out of action for 3 days, and a few more just taking things easy. My 7-month old son and I got unwel pretty much immediately. Both our temperatures got to around 39ish. I unfortunatetly had to look after everyone so didn’t get much rest, but it wasn’t too bad, just like a really bad flu. My son however suffered for almost 2 weeks but got over it eventually. We just treated it with paracetamol and ibuprofen, and although we were offered Tamiflu, on the GP’s advice we didn’t take it as apparently it doesn’t make that much of a difference. Funny thing though, my 4-year-old daughter didn’t get it at all! Strange as I expected her to get it first freom school. It just shows you how unpredictable this strain of flu is.

Ola09 said on 02 December 2009

bonnieboo said on 30 November 2009

Our 12 yr old son was offered the swine flu jab because he has asthma, After many hours worring whether we should go ahead, we finally felt it was the right thing to do to protect him. However, two and a half days later we are worried that we have made the wrong decision. He is suffering with a raised temperature, painful arm, sore throat and cough. What else is going on inside his small body that we are not aware about? We feel the local gp surgery where he had the jab didn’t give us an accurate picture of the pros and cons of having the jab, they just seemed to rush us through as quickly as possible without any explanation of the potential consequences of having the jab. We are now really scared about the long term effects to our son of having the jab. I HATE TO SEE HIM SUFFERING FROM THIS JAB when I am not convinced that there is a real threat from the flu in the first place. WE FEEL LIKE GUINEA PIGS!!!!

Graham in Stockport said on 25 November 2009

LATEX ALLERGY

Thanks for your comments Dawn – Essex.

I’ve notified my GP I want the hospital appointment to have the jab.

Apparently they need to keep an eye on any adverse reaction, but as you say, the blue booklet never mentioned it and your doctor wasn’t worried about it.

Could be either over caution or an issue that has only just been discovered in the North West?

dawnessex said on 24 November 2009

I was very surprised to hear about the latex allergy and not being able to have this jab. I too am allergic to latex and told my doctor of this yesterday, she said that was not aproblem and its just people allergic to the egg. I had my jab yesterday 5pm just got a sore red arm and its a bit warm no allergic reaction. I just read the massive leaflet again and it does not mention latex being a problem??

Charleybby said on 24 November 2009

originally my symptoms started 2 days ago and I had an aching body, sore throat, shortness of breath, a runny and blocked nose, a really bad headache and a fever. yesterday i felt worse but i continued to work and ended up coming home in the afternoon as i could not cope, by the early evening i think that i had one of the worst symptoms, vomiting. it was highly persistant and even though i had not eaten anything, my body still attempted to rid my stomach of its contents. by today (the third day) i feel better from taking flu capsules but as the day goes on the sickness feels as though it is coming back, i have no appetite but i feel hungry. eating helps with the sickness but the thought of eating makes me feel worse. over the three days i have had all of the symptoms but i still believe that unless you are in the high risk groups you should let your immune system fight off the illness.

Autumnwatch said on 24 November 2009

It all started with a sore throat, lots of sneezing, thumping headache that couldn’t be sorted with paracetamol and ibuprophen, high temperature, aching bones, bad stomache, really tired, I’ve just started getting better from Labrinthitus, so the dizziness was scary as I thought it was all coming back with a vengance, this was a week ago, since then chronic coughing, nearly makes me pass out. This morning phoned nhs swine flu line, did test, called the number and now about to take anti virral meds. cant believe this is happening.

Graham in Stockport said on 23 November 2009

Latex allergy – Mon 23.11.09

I’ve had an appointment today for my swine flu jab – only to be told I couldn’t have it because I was allergic to latex.

I, like most asthma sufferers have mild eczema and where hypoallergenic gloves to prevent a flare up.

I arrived at my GP surgery 5mins before my appointment and was given an A4 typed sheet with a list of allergies that I needed to inform the nurse.

I was told by my GP that due to my latex allergy I might have a bad reaction to the jab (Pandemrix) even cardiac-arrest. The Celvapan vaccine was not available.

Having read the blue booklet ‘ Swine Flu Vaccination; what you need to know’ I had no concerns about the jab. But – there was no mention of latex allergies.

Has this just been discovered?

Has anybody else had this issue?

My GP suggested I could have the jab but under close watch at the local hospital – I’m now not sure I want it.

Surely this needs wider debate before the vaccines are more widley available. Nothing about this on direct.gov or nhs.uk websites.

Appreciate your comments.

Mon 23.11.09 6.57pm

barney7 said on 17 November 2009

For the 3 days I have had a cough which at night keeps me awake the whole time. I did’nt have a temperature but felt tired very quickly when doing normal things around the house. Occasionally I have a headache, I feel groggy all the time and have now lost my appetite and this morning woke up with sweat running down my face and my shirt was stuck to my back. I am 51, very healthy and have had flu twice in my life, the Millenium flu was particulaly bad, but if I have Swine flu (who knows anyway) then it’s very different to others and effects people in different ways. The symptoms seem to come and go and are much worse at night I guess when the body is more run down? I am drinking fluids, taking ibrufen and codeine cough linctus at night. Saw my GP who was’nt too concerned and siad to return if i flet worse.

Cathyh said on 17 November 2009

I would like to share my experience as i do agree with other peoples comments that everyone will have the same symptoms or reactions to swine flu, 12 days ago, i started with a sore throat, my ears hurt had ulcers in my mouth and just put this down to a bad cold as had a runny nose i carried on working for a week using the usual remedies when i then started to get a temperature and a really chesty iratating cough achy muscles shivvers and fever sweats, this had now put me in bed i had 3 days where i just could not get up and was wet through in sweat did not see the point in ringing the swine flu line as they just seem to diagnose everyone with it so you never actually know if you have it, after struggling with my breathing i decided to ring them, they told me to ring 999 i felt this was a bit extreme so rang my doctors, who told me to go down for a check up, she said i had definately had some type of flu but hard to tell if swine flu or winter flu as there are lots of types of flu about, she prescribed me an inhaler for my breathing which does help and to carry on taking paracetamol etc, it has been 12 days now, i still feel a bit shakey and my cough is still there but not as strong and the inhaler has helped, to me it feels like this swine flu is like normal flu but that it can interfear with your breathing and chest area, my advice would be if the swine flu is not helpful which they were not to me is ring tour local GP and ask the doctor to ring you back as this is where i got the most help and also to keep warm, drink fluids and take cold and flu tablets cos they really do help.

debbie1967 said on 12 November 2009

i had the swine flu injection 24hrs ago.my arm was very painful and felt as though some one had "dead armed " me today i have gradually been feeling worse and worse.. severe nausea.. crippling stomach cramps..a really bad headache..aches and pains all over my body..and my hands and feet are really cold and tingaly…has anyone had these type of symptoms..as when i rang my doctor she said the would pass but i feel they are getting worse as the day goes on

holdfast said on 05 November 2009

SWINE FLU VACCINATION
As a healthcare worker I was recently vaccinated at my place of work. I understand the seriousness of this infection & the impact it is having on our services.
I have high blood pressure & take Ramipril to control this. Within 6 hours of the injection & after my usual dose of BP medication, my BP dropped & has been unstable since. I have omitted & then moderated my BP med dose under instruction from my Gp who tells me their are other patients on the same medication with similar side effects from the Swine Flu vaccination.
Whilst I believe it is important that as many people as possible are vaccinated if you take medication for high BP be aware that you may have side effects & your gp may need to advise you alter your dose.

Askas said on 30 October 2009

Hi,
In my case, it started with dry throat and a bit of muscle pain. I also had sneezes, but they were not frequent. Couple of paracetamol tablets would make me feel better almost for the entire day, so I did not suspect that I could have swine flu. I was having normal sleep at night and going to work as usual. After 3-4 days of the first symptoms, one night I could not literally sleep because of almost constant sneezing, coughing, headache, etc. I immediately stopped going to work next day and have been staying at home since. I must say that I didn’t have high temperature at first. I started taking painkillers every 4-5 hours to relieve the symptoms, such as muscle pain. You could say that I was relatively better during the day the next day, and still did not have high temperature. Only in my second night, after discovering that I had swine flu, that I had high temperature. My temperature was 39 and even after taking paracetamol tables it would not go down below 38; at times I was shivering. I could barely sleep at night. Things started improving at the third night, when I finally had a normal sleep; I don’t know maybe because I hardly slept the previous two nights. I am now on the third day and going towards my fourth night and can feel that my conditions started improving. I see from other comments which show that our bodies react slightly differently to the illness. Well, in my experience, I did not have high temperature initially, but I had it little later. I don’t think we should be looking at high temperature only. If you have all other symptoms, except for high temperature, most probably you do have swine flu and should be taking precautionary measures as soon as possible.

smc123 said on 27 October 2009

i am 47 old asthmatic, my daughter has severe congenital heart condition, epilepsy and autism.

we have been diagnosed with swine flu. now 10 days since onset of symptoms and im sloly recovering. thought it might help to share my experience.
had all the symptoms listed including paranoid and increased fear/ nightmares.
i was very worried to read some of you reckon you didnt have a temperature or were told you handnt.

my main point when i worked as a nurse i realised that
EVERYONE has a DIFFERENT average NORMAL body temp and oficially a rise in temp of 5- 10 degress is considered a sign of infection.

so, while you are WELL take your Temperature miday every day for 3days to get your personal temp

ie – my personal temp is usually 36.5 so i know if i have a temp of above 37.5 im ill. and i tell the doctor i have a temperature.
and dont forget if you have taken painkillers, flu remadies or apsrin this will lower your temperature even if you are very sick. so take your temperature before or at least four hours after taking any medication.

Even those with chronic ilness ARE recovering from swineflu.
finally remember not to panick remain positive and focus on getting well.
DONT FORGET TO ASKL YOUR GP FOR FLU VACCINE !

liverpoollou said on 24 October 2009

My son has contracted some form of flu at the begining of this week. He has been pescribed Tamiflu and been taking it since Tuesday. He is really poorly and I am quite worried. He is 18 and a very fit and healthy young man however he has been in bed since Tuesday and although i have been ensuring he is taking adequate fluids, paracetamol ect, he is not eating and his temperature is getting steadily worse, to the point where 20 mins ago is was over 39, his breathing is laboured and it is hurting him to breath!! I have just insisted a GP comes to visit him as all the advice says not to go to the hospitals. however it took me over an hour to get through to someone, as the first thing you here when you call NHS direct is if this call is about swine Flu then call the Swine Flu helpline which tells you nothing else then to call NHS direct or your GP, Very Frustrating…

blackfieldbobbie said on 24 October 2009

If patients are recovering within a few days and only had cold symptoms, then it is very unlikely that they had swine flu or any other type of flu.
Liz I think that it was diabolical that your manager asked you to go to work with that type of illness, whether she/he thought it swine flu or not. To put hospice patients at risk when they are already very poorly and terminally ill is unforgivable. Good for you for sticking up for them.
I am interested in the comments concerning secondary ailments. My 6 year old daughter, was diagnosed and in addition to all the high temperature, aches and pains and vomiting, she had painful blue hands and feet. She recovered but kept a slight cough, a week later, she’s back on the sofa with a high temp feeling sick and the same dry cough.

Rhodie said on 21 October 2009

Mid August, I started having flu like symptons, which I thought would mean just a few days off work. The symptons continued, low grade fever, mild sore throat, mild swollon glands, night sweats, blocked nose, coughing and fatigued. While over 3 weeks, the flu like symptons abated, the fatigue got worse, I was exhorsted and whenever I started doing something that required energy, e.g. walking my dogs, brain fog set in, unable to think or do anything. I got nausea, which went away after a week or so, but still totally exhorsted, as if I had been through the mill, physically and emotionally, the energy seemed to be sucked into my stomach, strange description, but theonly way I can describe it. . 2 months after the initial flu symptoms, the exhorstion has subsided, but I am still unable to do very much without brain fog setting in and slight nausea. No aches or pains. My surgergy has said it’s ‘post viral fatigue’. Blood tests are clear.

My partner has also been exhorsted for the past 2 months, similar symptoms, not as bad as me, but also had flu like symptoms, night sweats and now has very little energy and occasional brain fog.

There is very little information available on the length of time of illnesses and infact I have no idea whether it was just the flu, and if so whether it was ‘swine’ flu. My doc has more or less said the same thing to me. So little is known – it can’t be tested, therefore go home and take it easy.

It’s very frustrating.

miniminger said on 20 October 2009

I have also now been ill for 5 weeks, it’s dragging, still got a chest infection which is one of the secondary complications, still out of breath and fatigued, when will it end? and then everything i’ve read reckons symptoms last around a week? as my kids would say, yeah whatever!

MarcusD said on 05 October 2009

Spearzy, It doesn’t follow that, just because you felt better after taking Tamiflu, that you must therefore have had swineflu. Tamiflu isn’t a swine-flu specific drug – in fact it wasn’t even developed for swine-flu and it was originally stockpiled by the NHS in response to fears that bird-flu would spread to humans. Nor would Tamiflu actually be capable of curing whatever viral infection you seem to have been suffering from … it simply speeds the recovery process and makes you less infectious. Indeed, the fact that you felt ill for so long very would very strongly suggests that it was NOT swine-flu that you were suffering from.

badco said on 25 September 2009

was advised today that an antiviral drug could benefit my symptoms of swine flu. I live alone ,what family n friends I have live quite a distance away so obtaining the drug if it was stocked pretty local would not be a big problem, however, the nearest collection point for me is at least 13miles away. looks like I will have to fight this flu drugless. typical nhs blunder

spearzy said on 04 September 2009

gps are looking for fever to diagnose the swine flu anyone seen this? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/health/13fever.html?_r=1 also its clear from reading the comments here people can and do have difficulty breathing and feeling unwell for longer than its bieng made out i have been unwell for months breathing difficulty feeling extremly unwell faint,had 5-6 courses of antibiotics finally get tamiflu,and surprise im feeling better in just 3 days it must have been swine flu then after bieng told theres no way it could be make no mistake swine flu is awfull im not surprised it can and does kill people ive never been so ill for so long in all my life.people need to be checked for this horrible virus its clear not everyone gets better before the results would come back as is believed to be the reason no more testing is bieng done.

kazza1234 said on 02 September 2009

My swine flu started off as a slight tickle in my chest and an irritating cough. Overnight it turned into an extremely sore throat, aches and pains, high temperature and headache that defied paracetamol/ibuprofen. I took tamiflu. After I finished that, I then felt very unwell and my GP asked me to see her as I couldn’t swallow. I sounded like I was talking through a straw. The headache remained and my cough worsened. I found it hard to breathe and had chest pains on the left side. My sinuses had completely blocked. Both ears hurt. My doctor gave me a thorough exam and said that I had a chest infection, sinusitis and infections in both ears. My throat was raw. I had complications of swine flu. I was then prescribed amoxicillin for a week. After i finished those I started to feel almost human again, but somewhat tired. Three days later, I had a very bad headache and a sore throat on one side and had to go back to the Drs. I was then diagnosed with Tonsillitis. I was prescribed Clarithyromycin for a further week. I had to have three weeks off work. My throat continued to be sore for a further week after the 2nd lot of antibiotics were finished and my Dr gave me an anti-inflamatory spray which numbed the pain and eventually got rid of it. All in all, it took about 5 weeks for me to feel "myself" again. Although people say that most cases are mild, I don’t feel that my symptoms were mild and felt very unwell. I found out that a boyfriend of a friend of mine who contracted swine flu died in hospital at the beginning of this week so not everyone has a "mild" experience of swine flu.

spearzy said on 02 September 2009

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/health/13fever.html?_r=1 why are gps only looking for fever to diagnose when this link shows there isnt neccersarily fever present and i repeatedly get told u cannot have it for long periods of time when looking at some of these comments its clear you obviously can?

spearzy said on 02 September 2009

it seems nearly all gps are unaware of this http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/health/13fever.html?_r=1 why?i wonder they all look for fever and if there isnt one they say theres no way u can have swine flu.

lararefaeli said on 26 August 2009

Swine flu is a form of influenza that originated in pigs but can be caught by, and spread among, people.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine influenza, though infections do sometimes happen. In the recent past, most human cases of swine influenza have been in people who were in close contact with pigs, such as farmers. In the current outbreak the virus has been spread by person-to-person contact.

The swine flu situation is changing quickly. For the most up to date information please visit the World Health Organisation (WHO) website in Selected Links. They provide information on the countries with laboratory confirmed cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection…

User309357 said on 14 August 2009

to all the people complaining about people who being told told by the NPFS they have flu like SYMPTOMS. note not that have they FLU, but flu like SYMPTOMS. would they prefer it if the NPFS wasn’t set up until september as orgionally planned. and the pandemic was worse. plus thinking about, how many people have gone to the doctors because the NPFS have advised them to, and the doctor’s found more serious condition which has manifested itself with flu like symptoms???

concernedj said on 06 August 2009

Found this link to a document ‘Coping with the flu outbreak – Depression’

http://www.oxfordshirepct.nhs.uk/your-health/health-promotion/older-people/documents/PB247_09-coping-with-flu-depression-read.pdf

danny_f said on 04 August 2009

I’m now in day nine. On the evening of the first day I wasn’t clear on what it actually was – it felt like a cold coming on, but by the following morning my symptoms were virtually textbook – 102F fever, all-over body aches and pains, thumping headache, sore throat, dry constant hacking cough (very painful,) soaking through the bedcovers with sweat three times a night, and a general feeling of utter fatigue. Website and telephone line both diagnosed swine flu. By day three I was coughing and sneezing up all sorts (blood occasionally). I felt as though day three was the apex – days four and five felt comparitively better – my throat was improving, and the cough was almost gone. On day six I felt slightly worse and on day seven the sore throat was so bad that I am now finding it very difficult to swallow – and bizzarely I have no particular sense of taste at the moment. Now on day nine with no real improvement, and have been signed off work for a further week. GP has said I have a secondary infection which is complimenting the flu symptoms – I am now on a course of antibiotics, having completed my Tamiflu course the day before yesterday. I am told that I should see some improvement before the end of the week, and to be honest I’m feeling so utterly dreadful that it couldn’t come a moment too soon. To all sufferers – keep your chins up; it’ll pass eventually. Yes, it’s desperately unpleasent (to anybody saying it’s "just flu, don’t be a crybaby" – you really should TRY it before you say things like that – I’m an active person and I haven’t moved from my bed for five days) but every day you feel bad brings you closer to the finish. CONTACT YOUR GP or the NHS line if your symptoms develop further or they don’t go away within a week or two. It’s better to know than to wonder. Take care everyone. 🙂

Is swine flu mutating in London? said on 03 August 2009

I thought it might be useful to post my story here. I live in North London

I contracted swine flu 16 days ago and had a temperature of 38.2C. I was very achy and my whole body was sore. As I am type 2 diabetic I was prescribed Tamiflu. Within 6-7 days I was 100% better-I felt perfect.

Then a full week after I felt perfect (during this weekend just gone) i started with a bit of sneezing and non productive coughing and suddenly I had a rising temperature. Yesterday evening it went up to 39.95C- i felt even worse than the first time and ~I even had mild convulsions.

I am now off work and feel very achy from head to toe-my temperature has dropped to 37.5C. I am waiting to speak with my doctor to see if I can take the Tamiflu again.

I feel sure that I have caught a more extreme version of this flu this time round.

concernedj said on 01 August 2009

Two sites that I have found useful are:
1. Flu survey
http://www.flusurvey.org.uk/index.php

2. Wikipedia 009 flu pandemic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_flu_pandemic

Now on Day 21 of flu like symptoms. (Still breaking out into sweats, finding it more difficult to cook and clean or to concentrate for long on written work or problem solving. Nose is running more in the last week than the first week.

I got doctor’s certificate for week 2. During week 3, I was fortunate to be able to work from home.

Searching on the internet I’m finding ‘health authority’ and ‘news’ statements saying most people recover completely in a few days / week and a few are hospitalised.

Possibly there is a third group – those who are not recovering quite so rapidly….For me the symptoms are disappearing one by one or a group at the time. I also know other people who are finding that it is taking longer to recover. If I got cold or too tired each time it seems to knock me back.

I believe people are contagious whilst they still have symptoms. Please advise on (i) the various patterns this condition can take, (ii) how long it takes people to recover in each case and when they can return to work and (iii) how best to regain strength / beat post-viral fatigue. A little more info would help allay fear and ensure fit people can get back to work ASAP.

billy65 said on 31 July 2009

Hi
I’m hoping someone may have some guidance/advice on time off from work.My partner and I have had it for 7 and 5 days.We both work with the public and still have symptoms.We have self-certificated but there’s no guidance on NHS or government websites on whether this self-cert can be extended.I have read that some GPs may refuse to give a Med 3 as we were diagnosed by the pandemic website.I can’t even e-mail nhs direct as this service is temporarily suspended.
The Pct I work for has no guidance at all.
We don’t want to spread the virus and have been at home to prevent this but along with many other people we have bills to pay.
Where do we find sound advice on what to do next.?

Russ_Trew said on 31 July 2009

Yet again we see the media playing a negative role in society. This ‘pandemic’ is no less severe than seasonal flu, which kills people all over the world every year – the difference? A psychological identification to a name. If it was known as just ‘the Flu’ no one would balk. Because it has been labelled ‘Swine Flu’ it takes on a more personal role in people’s minds. It is influenza. That’s all. It kills some people, makes others ill and breezes through some people without a problem. That what flu does. Calling a hurricane Ralph may anthropomorphise it, but it’s still a hurricane.

harry pig said on 29 July 2009

er yes, well, believe i may have had a version of it swineflu went like this, sat 25/7/09 sore throat and ear,sun26/7/09 sore throat,ear, and mild headache,27/7/09 sore throat,sore ear, bad headache,aching back legs and neck muscles and bit of phlegm in morning, 28/7/09 felt hell of a lot better during afternoon but weak and tired,29/7/09 much better today but still feel weak and tired no antivirals as dont have anyone to do errands was refused by neighbour once so dont like to ask, instead used inhouse stuff beechams and throat sweets was fine oh also gargled with TCP nasty stuff but good effect.

marjie62 said on 28 July 2009

S.S.B
Iam very interested in your report on your symptoms as they are similiar to my own..i have been ill for 4 wks now , first week thought i had a cold even although i had stomach cramps and dyhria i thought i may have eaten something nasty , then the sweats , jelly legs , headache from hell ( which i still have )…sore throat , aches in muscles off legs , got diagnosed over the phone the second week then tamiflu prescribed on week 2 1/2 finished those now and still have severe cramps in bed at night and a stiff neckj which is creeping up to the bony part off my head behind my ear ! i know ( hopefully) that iam not dying but just dont feel 100% and geting really fed up now as i am reading online that it only lasts a few days ! iam on 4th wk

S.S.B. said on 27 July 2009

4 weeks ago diagnosed swine flu over the phone by my doctor.Tamiflu had bad side effects :vomiting,feeling sick and tired.After that as result of Tamilu developed Candida infection of the tongue,which is still here after 2 weeks-although taking 2 different medicine.Constant low grade fewer in my face,and cold hands and body.Muscle tension in my neck and head.Feeling tired.And what is worst my blood sugar levels are all wrong and having another test tomorrow.I was healthy person before and my blood test were always ok,and after Tamiflu complete nightmare.NHS hasn’t got a clue and I should’t have taken Tamiflu without swab which was never offered.

concernedj said on 26 July 2009

I was diagnosed with suspected swine flu 2 weeks ago today. I am still feeling rough- sweats, sore throat, aching, nose running, sneezing ( having bad nose bleeds today also). I have stayed at home and been off work already for 2 weeks. I am concerned that I might now also be off tomorrow. Please could someone provide some % s showing recovery rates with time? i.e. What % of patients recover in 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks etc – such that they are ‘fit enough to return to work’ (rather than not contagious). I guess these sorts of figures must be available by now – ConcernedJ

rafterman said on 25 July 2009

I’ve had two kids that have had swine flu, and it’s nothing to panic about. It’s no worse than a normal heavy cold/flu, and both recovered in a few days. Tamiflu was prescribed, but two tablets in we took them off it as it made them violently sick, and I wouldn’t take it myself having seen the side effects. All my kids needed was calpol/calprofen to get them through the worst of it. My wife and I both had symptoms but they never got past the stage where we just felt a bit off colour.
There’s way too much fuss been made about this illness, for the vast majority of people it’s just flu.

liz4561 said on 24 July 2009

I’m just recovering from the swine flu – I was diagnosed over the telephone while on holiday in the UK – I originally thought I was getting a cold, but after a week realised it was something more. I was quite poorly for about ten days (really bad sore throat, high temperature, couldn’t sleep and stomach pains) but am now much better.

I followed the doctor’s advice and kept away from people. I also spoke to my own GP on returning home – as I still felt unwell and wanted to know if there was anything else I could do – same advice, rest, time, and keep away from people.

My concern is that because I was diagnosed over the telephone I’m not counted in the "reported cases" in my home town. My line manager at work stated that there were only ten reported cases in my home town, so it was unlikely I had the swine flu and said I could go back to work.

I work in the NHS (in a Hospice) – and this was the only thing about the swine flu that left me reeling!!

That advice can be posted on the net, through our doors and on TV and radio – yet my own line manager, an NHS employee, said "come back to work". Obviously I ignored her "advice" and am going back next week – symptom free.

NB – I stayed on holiday as I was in my own static caravan and could keep away from people there.

VMF said on 23 July 2009

How can reliable figures for swine flu be published when only a very few of the so-called cases are confirmed by laboratory tests. Every year I have a headache, sore throat, a cough, feel dopey and often have a sore tummy and aching limbs – it is hay fever (or so I have been told in the past) and I treat it accordingly. If I rang NHS DIrect now, stating the above, would I be confirmed as having swine flu. Also, if you think (without any laboratory confirmation) that you have had swine flu this summer, might you be rather careless about being in contact with sufferers in the autumn/winter.

staycalmdon'tpanic said on 23 July 2009

chemoflu …… try typing "chemotherapy" "flu" and "swine" into the search facility at the top of this page…..all the info I think you need……. sorry if this seems an obvious thing to do

clare-clare said on 23 July 2009

Just over 2 weeks ago i felt unwell, suffering from a sawthroat, persistent headache to the point where i was waking up with one and falling back asleep with one, i felt lathargic and generally under the weather, i didn’t think much of it, infact i put it down the the change of the weather. However, last week i flew out to Spain, within a day i started to feel dizzy, and suffered from pains across my chest, this seemed to worsen throughout and by the end i was finding it hard to breathe and couldn’t catch a full breath, the only time i would feel resonably ok is when i would lie down, i started to panic as i suffer from frequent chest infections and regulary need to take my inhaler. On my return i phoned the surgery, who reluctantly told me to stay by the end of the phone until a doctor could phone, i fortunately was allowed an appointment after me demanding that i didn’t think i had swine flu, but just an infection in my chest, i have been perscribed anti-biotics, but so far it hasn’t made any sort of an difference. All i’m saying is, whether you feel you have Swine Flu, or contracted some of the symptons, yet the doctor is adiment you have it, you might not and they will refuse to see you, your best bet is to rest at home, with a pack of paracitmols and bare it out. People are being perscibed tamiflu when all they have is a minor cold, i’ve heard if you’ve already picked up tamiflu, you won’t be perscribed it again, just be very cautious! However scary ‘swine flu’ appears we musn’t worry ourselves, becuase the fact is if we are going to get it, we’re going to get it!

chemoflu said on 23 July 2009

I am currentley having Chemotherapy and am unable to have a flue jab and I would assume the vaccine for Swine flu, yet nothing is mentioned on this website. I have been told , incorrectley by NHS staff, I should have a winter flu jab. Can someone add a paragraph about chemotherapy patients please?

Sue from London said on 11 June 2009

I have recently returned from a cruise in the Med. Upon my return I felt flu like, within 24 hours I called my GP with concerns regarding swine flu – I have all the severe symptoms, but as previous comments have mooted, as I had not been to a particular country with high swine flu confirmed cases, I was told too that it was probably just a usual commen flu. Whilst I am fit and health, I too am concerned that the Government seem to giving out one message along with the WHO, but the Healthcare Professionals on the ground are not taking the appropriate action. How can we say in England that confirmed cases are moderate when they aren’t being investigated and like others, I too am concerned for those at risk, the old and the young. In the Autumn and Winter, how will we cope if the cases of swine flue to reach high volumes. I do hope that someone is passing on these comments to the DH for them to act upon and ensure that PCTs and GP’s act responsbily for the benefit of everyones health.

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NHS Choices Syndication

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Representations

/conditions/articles/pandemic-flu/causes

Pandemic flu

How swine flu spreads

[Original article on NHS Choices website]

The swine flu virus is spread in exactly the same way as the common cold and other flu viruses.

The virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when someone coughs or sneezes.

These droplets typically spread about 1 metre (3 feet). They hang suspended in the air for a while, but then land on surfaces, where the virus can survive for up to 24 hours.

Anyone who touches these surfaces can spread the virus by touching anything else.

Everyday items at home and in public places may have traces of the virus. These include food, door handles, remote controls, hand rails and computer keyboards.

People usually become infected by picking up the virus on their hands from contaminated objects and then placing their hands near their mouth or nose. It is also possible to breathe in the virus if it is suspended in airborne droplets.

Good hygiene

Preventing the spread of germs is the most effective way to slow the spread of diseases such as swine flu:

Ensure everyone washes their hands regularly with soap and water.
Clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs.
Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
Put used tissues in a bin as soon as possible.

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Published Date: 2013-01-04 10:05:01Z
Last Review Date: 2012-10-11 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date: 2014-10-11 00:00:00Z

Classification: Antiviral drugs,Influenza (seasonal),Swine flu

NHS Choices Syndication

Representations

/conditions/articles/pandemic-flu/introduction

Pandemic flu

Introduction

[Original article on NHS Choices website]

Swine flu is a relatively new strain of influenza (flu) that was responsible for a flu pandemic during 2009-2010.

It is sometimes known as H1N1 influenza because it is the H1N1 strain of virus.

On 10 August 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the swine flu pandemic was officially over. However, this does not mean that swine flu can be ignored.

The swine flu virus will be one of the main viruses circulating this winter. It has therefore been included in the 2012-13 seasonal flu vaccine.

Vaccination

It is recommended that people in high-risk groups be vaccinated against swine flu. This includes all pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy.

Pregnant women in high-risk groups and those not in high-risk groups are advised to take the seasonal flu jab, which protects against swine flu.

This is because there is good evidence that all pregnant women are at increased risk from complications if they catch swine flu. For more information, see swine flu advice for pregnant women.

For general information about flu, see seasonal flu and seasonal flu jab.

What to do if you have swine flu

Contact your GP if you think you have swine flu and you are worried. They will decide the most appropriate action to take.

The National Pandemic Flu Service no longer operates.

High-risk groups

Some people are more at risk of complications if they catch flu. People are particularly vulnerable if they have:

chronic (long-term) lung disease
chronic heart disease
chronic kidney disease
chronic liver disease
chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease)
immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment)
diabetes mellitus

Also at risk are:

patients who have had drug treatment for asthma in the past three years
pregnant women
people who are 65 years of age or over

See preventing swine flu for a full list of people advised to have this year’s flu jab.

Preventing the spread of swine flu

Anyone who is concerned about flu symptoms should contact their GP, who will determine the most appropriate action to take.

For more information about how the H1N1 virus spreads, see causes of swine flu.

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Published Date: 2014-03-24 11:54:56Z
Last Review Date: 2012-10-11 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date: 2014-10-11 00:00:00Z

Classification: Fever,HIV infection and AIDS,Immune system,Influenza (seasonal),Lung and respiratory tract infections,Older people,Seasonal vaccinations,Swine flu

Swine flu (H1N1)

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