Swine Flu – Guidance for people living in East Devon

If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu:

• Read up on swine flu symptoms then use the NHS Direct swine flu symptom checker.
• If you are then still concerned, stay at home and call your GP.
• If swine flu is confirmed, ask a healthy friend or relative to visit your GP to pick up a document entitling you to antiviral medication.
• They will then need to pick the medication up at a collection point your GP will advise on (a local pharmacy or similar).

For more information visit www.nhs.uk or call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513.

General hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the swine flu virus. This includes:

• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
• Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face or to other people.
• Cleaning hard surfaces (such as door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.

The following advice leaflets have been produced by the Health Protection Agency on Swine Flu and schools.

• Swine Flu Advice for Special Needs Schools.
• Swine Flu and Schools - Advice for the Public.
• Management of Examinations during the Current H1N1v (Swine) Flu Epidemic.

• Devon Primary Care Trust.
• Directgov: Swine Flu.
• Health Protection Agency: Swine Flu Outbreak.
• Devon County Council.

Page last updated on 15 July 2009