Website of the UK government

If you think you have swine flu

If you think you have swine flu symptoms, stay at home and contact your GP.

They will be able to assess you and decide what treatment is appropriate.

For more information on the symptoms of swine flu, follow the 'Do you have swine flu?' link below.

• Do you have swine flu?

• Find a local GP Opens new window

• Common questions about swine flu - NHS Choices Opens new window

Antiviral drugs - Tamiflu and Relenza

Swine flu is being treated with antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza. Antiviral drugs work by preventing the flu virus from reproducing - to be effective you need to take them within 48 hours of the symptoms beginning. This can reduce the risk of complications and possibly shorten the illness by a day.

Adverse reactions to Tamiflu

In some cases, antiviral medicine can cause side effects, such as:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• stomach ache
• headache

Even if you do feel these symptoms it is important that those prescribed antiviral medicine complete the course, even if symptoms of swine flu clear and you start to feel better quickly.

Should young children be treated with Tamiflu?

The review that said children should not be treated with Tamiflu was based on seasonal flu and not swine flu.

The authors admitted that it is uncertain how much the findings of that review apply to swine flu. After all, swine flu behaves differently to seasonal flu, and past pandemics have hit younger people hardest.

All people suffering from swine flu, including young children, will continue to be offered antivirals.

Buying Tamiflu

Anyone who buys antivirals online could be in danger of getting fake or substandard medicines. 

Online sales are investigated and those who abuse the system for profit could get up to ten years in prison for attempting to obtain and sell medicines illegally.

• Public warned against online swine flu medicines

Prevention

Flu video

There's a simple way to remember this:

CATCH IT. BIN IT. KILL IT.

• Watch the TV advert

To reduce the risk of catching or spreading the virus you should:

• cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, using a tissue
  
• throw the tissue away quickly and carefully
  
• wash your hands regularly with soap and water
• clean hard surfaces (like door handles and remote controls) frequently with a normal cleaning product

Advice for businesses

Follow the link below for information on how to prepare your business for swine flu.

• Swine flu - advice from Business Link Opens new window