
The Swine Flu Basics
Symptoms of swine flu include a fever, cough, headache, weakness and fatigue, aching muscles and joints, sore throat and a runny nose.
Treatment and prevention
If you are in England, you can now get antivirals to treat swine flu from a local collection point without seeing your GP. If you are in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, contact your GP or call your specific helpline.
Groups that will be given priority for the swine flu vaccine have been announced. These include pregnant women and people with serious underlying health conditions.
Pregnant women and parents
While most pregnant women with swine flu will only have mild symptoms like most other people, there is a higher risk of developing complications. Pregnant women will be given priority for the swine flu vaccine when it is available in the Autumn.
Travel advice
If you have swine flu, do not travel until after your symptoms have stopped.
If you need to cancel your holiday, keep all the original documentation you receive, including the label from your medication, as insurers will need it to validate your travel insurance claim.
While there have been cases of swine flu in the UK, travel to the UK is not restricted.
If you get swine flu while in the UK you will be able to access the same advice and treatment as UK residents. However, if you have symptoms of swine flu, you should delay travelling until you are well.
The National Pandemic Flu Service has been launched, with antivirals available at local collection points. If you feel like you may have swine flu, visit the new website by following the link
http://www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu , or call 0800 1 513 100.