Palatine Group Practice
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IMPORTANT UPDATE: CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON SWINE FLU AND WHAT YOU SHOULD & SHOULD NOT DO...
Influenza A,
H1N1 (Swine Flu)
THE advice from the
Dr Paul Emerson, Acting
Director of Public Health, explained:
‘The declaration of a
level 6 pandemic is not unexpected, and reflects the fact that swine
flu is spreading significantly in two continents, North America and
Australia.
The declaration of a
pandemic does not mean that the virus has become more deadly or
serious – the flu is still relatively mild with very few deaths in
global terms. But it does send a clear signal to health officials
and businesses around the world to prepare for the possibility of
large numbers of people catching the virus in their areas. In the
WHAT TO DO
IF YOU THINK THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE SWINE FLU.
DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, COME TO THE SURGERY OR GO TO
A&E OR MEDS.
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Stay at home and contact your GP by phone if you have flu-like symptoms – fever, cough, sore throat or body aches and pains.
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Make sure that you:
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WASH your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face, or to other people.
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Clean all hard surfaces like door handles frequently, using a normal cleaning product.
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Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, using a tissue, and disposing of it promptly. Do not use an ordinary handkerchief, as you should throw the tissue away after every use.
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If you do not have the flu symptoms you should continue to live life as normal. There is no vaccine available as yet.
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In
For further information
and updates please check the dedicated web pages, which include:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8021958.stm
http://www.gov.im/dhss/about/Public_Health/hp/pandemicflu/