Update on A H1N1 (Swine Flu)

The UK Government has moved from 'containment and outbreak' phase to 'treatment' phase i.e. people will now be treated on the basis of diagnosis rather than laboratory tests.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?
- The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite and coughing (see symptoms). Some people with swine flu have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

What should I do if I think I'm infected?
- If you have flu-like symptoms, check your symptoms with this tool (links to external site)

- Notify your manager

- If you are still concerned, stay at home and call your Doctor, who will be able to provide a diagnosis over the phone. If swine flu is confirmed, ask a healthy relative or friend to collect any medication

- In the meantime, take paracetamol-based cold remedies to reduce fever and other symptoms, drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest

- Do not go into your Doctor's surgery, or to a hospital, as you may spread the disease to others

- If you are still concerned, you can call:

• NHS Direct on 0845 4647 in England
• NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24 in Scotland
• NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647 in Wales
• 0800 0514 142 in Northern Ireland
• 011 2392 1401 or 1075 for India

What should I do if I am aware someone in my team has flu-like symptoms?
- There is no cause for concern and no reason why you should leave your place of work

- You should advise your colleague to notify their manager. Managers have received appropriate guidance in such cases

- If you have been in close contact with a team member who is displaying flu like symptoms you should be vigilant about your own wellbeing

- Follow the general advice below

Should I avoid contact with people suspected of having swine flu?
- Those who have swine flu symptoms will have been asked to self-isolate at home and restrict their contact with people. The vast majority of people should go about their normal activities, including going to school or work. This includes children who attend a school with a confirmed case of swine flu

- There is no need on risk grounds to avoid contact with people who might simply have come into contact with those having the illness, such as the parents of children at schools with a confirmed case but who are not themselves ill.

A colleague has been confirmed as having swine flu. Can I go home?
- There is no reason why you should leave your place of work

- If you feel strongly that you do not want to remain in the office, you should discuss this with your manager and agree either to:

• Work from home
• Take annual leave
• Take unpaid leave of absence (refer to your company policy)

What should I do if I am aware of a client's employee who has reported they are feeling unwell with flu like symptoms?
- Inform your manager. Managers have received appropriate guidance in such cases.

What if a colleague has someone in their family sick with A H1N1 flu?
- If you have been in close contact with the colleague you should be vigilant about your own well being
- As per current NHS advice any person with family members with the virus should still come to work if they themselves are free of symptoms.

My child is sick with swine flu. I want to stay at home to care for my child. What should I do?
- Normal policies for leave of absence apply. (see your company's policies/business rules)

- Arrangements to work from home, where this is practicable, may be made at your Manager's discretion.

Which people are most vulnerable from swine flu?
- people with chronic lung disease,
- people with chronic heart disease,
- people with chronic kidney disease,
- people with chronic liver disease,
- people with chronic neurological disease,
- people with suppressed immune systems (whether caused by disease or treatment),
- people with diabetes,
- people who have had drug treatment for their asthma within the past three years,
- pregnant women,
- people aged 65 years and older, and
- young children under five years old

For specific advice on antiviral treatment for these groups, go to People with long-term conditions, target="_blank"Pregnancy and children and Older people.

What if I consider myself to be at a higher risk than others?
- You should notify your manager if you consider yourself to be at a higher risk than others.

General information

Is the swine flu virus contagious?
- The Health Protection Agency (HPA) says the new swine flu virus is highly contagious and is spreading from person to person.

- Swine flu spreads in the same way as ordinary colds and flu. The virus is spread through the droplets that come out of the nose or mouth when someone coughs or sneezes.

- If someone coughs or sneezes and they do not cover their nose and mouth, those droplets can spread about one metre (3ft). If you are very close to the person you might breathe them in.

- Or, if someone coughs or sneezes into their hand, those droplets and the virus within them are easily transferred to surfaces that the person touches, such as door handles, hand rails, telephones and keyboards. If you touch these surfaces and touch your face, the virus can enter your system, and you can become infected.

How long does the virus live on surfaces?
- The flu virus can live on a hard surface for up to 24 hours and a soft surface for around 20 minutes.

What is the incubation period for swine flu?
- According to the Health Protection Agency, the incubation period for swine flu (time between infection and appearance of symptoms) can be up to seven days, but is most likely to be between two and five days. It is, however, too early to be able to provide details on virus characteristics, including incubation period, with absolute certainty at this time.

When are people most infectious?
- People are most infectious to others soon after they develop symptoms, although they continue to shed the virus (for example, in coughs and sneezes) for up to five days (seven days in children). People become less infectious as their symptoms subside, and once their symptoms are gone, they are no longer considered infectious to others.

How long are symptoms expected to last?
- As with any sort of influenza, the severity and duration of symptoms will vary depending on treatment and individual circumstances. Most cases reported in the UK to date have been relatively mild, with those affected starting to recover within a week.

Who should be wearing a facemask?
- The Health Protection Agency (HPA) recommends that healthcare workers should wear a facemask if they come into close contact with a person with symptoms (within one metre) to reduce their risk of catching the virus from patients.

However, the HPA does not recommend that healthy people wear facemasks to go about their everyday business.

Why shouldn't the general public wear facemasks?
- Because there's no conclusive evidence that facemasks will protect healthy people in their day-to-day lives.

- The virus is spread by picking up the virus from touching infected surfaces, or by someone coughing or sneezing at very close range - so unless you are standing close to someone with the virus, wearing a facemask will not make a difference.

- There are concerns about the risks posed by not using facemasks correctly.

- Facemasks must be changed regularly as they are less effective when dampened by a person's breath. People may infect themselves if they touch the outer surface of their mask, or may infect others by not disposing of old masks safely.

- Finally, wearing a facemask may encourage complacency. People need to focus on good hand hygiene, staying at home if they are feeling unwell, and covering their mouth when they cough or sneeze.

- The government is no longer trying to contain the virus because it is now widespread in the UK. It is not effective to give antivirals to people who are not ill, as they will be repeatedly exposed to the virus in the community.

What advice is being given to travellers?
- Before travelling, they should check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website for information specific to the country they are visiting (see useful links). Those who do not have internet access can call the FCO's 24-hour advice line on 0845 850 2829.

What advice is being given to people with flu who want to travel by plane?
- The Health Protection Agency is advising anyone in the UK who is symptomatic not to travel until they are no longer infectious. Similarly, any British nationals abroad with flu who want to fly home should only travel when they are no longer infectious.

Is it safe to use public transport now we are in a pandemic?
- Yes. Public transport has not been closed during previous pandemics, and while there is a small additional risk to the public, this is no greater than using other public places. Anyone who has the flu or feels unwell should stay at home and not travel.

What should I do if I become ill on holiday or on the flight home?
- If you experience flu-like symptoms during a stay in a country affected by swine flu, contact a health professional and tell them your symptoms.

If you become ill on your flight home, alert the cabin crew to your symptoms. There are procedures in place for dealing with passengers who become unwell on flights, and the airline will advise port health officials on the ground that a passenger requires a health assessment and may need treatment.

To access the Department of Health swine flu Information line when abroad, call 00 44 207 928 1010.

General advice remains the same:
- reduce visits to crowded places
- be vigilant about your personal hygiene

• always cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue when coughing or sneezing
• dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
• wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after touching your nose, eyes or mouth
• be vigilant of flu like symptoms for yourself, family, neighbours, colleagues etc
• stay more than one arm's length distance from people you know to be sick with flu

- the moment you feel sick (flu like) take advice from your doctor and

• inform your manager
• work from home if possible
• do not come to the office if sickness increases
• follow the WHO guidelines at: www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/guidance/individuals/en/index.html, or www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu

You should also prepare now by:

• Confirming a network of 'flu friends' - friends and relatives - who could help you if you fall ill. They could collect medicines and other supplies for you so you do not have to leave home and possibly spread the virus.
• Knowing your NHS number and those of other family members and keeping them in a safe place. It is not essential to have your NHS number in order to receive treatment, but it can help NHS staff to find your health records. You will be able to find your NHS Number on your medical card or other items such as prescribed medication, GP letter or hospital appointment card/letter.
• Making sure you have adequate quantities of cold and cough remedies in your medicine cupboard in case you or your family are affected by swine flu.