Swine Flu Information for BHC Patients

(Updated December 2009). 

- Swine Flu Vaccination Programme Details -   

The next Saturday Swine Flu Clinics are to be held here on January 9th & 30th 2010.

First Phase - Clinical Priority Groups (from October 2009)

The clinical risk groups, in order of priority are:

(a). Individuals aged six months and up to 65 years in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at risk groups.
(b). Pregnant women.
(c). Household contacts of immunocompromised individuals.
(d). People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at risk groups.

Second Phase (announced December 2009) - Children aged six months to under 5 years.

All children, unless immunosuppressed, require one dose of the vaccine.

Immunosupressed/immunocompromised children will require two doses.

Deliveries of the first 500 vaccines to each GP Practice commenced late October 2009.

As a Practice we estimate we have 2,300 vaccines to dispense in this first phases of the Swine Flu vaccination programme. The other patient groups (non-clinical risk groups) will be contacted subsequently to be offered their vaccinations, as supplies be become available, which is expected to be early in the New Year.

Swine Flu Information for BHC Patients.

We are no longer screening/testing patients for swine flu. “Suspected “cases are being offered treatment.

What are the symptoms ?

Temperature > 38 or history of fever  plus 2 or more of the following :

Sore throat
Cough
Runny nose
Aches and pains
Headache
Diarrhoea and /or vomiting.

What to do if you think you may have swine flu.

Check your symptoms via the National Pandemic Flu Service (www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk) or 0800 1 513 100.

If you are still concerned phone the practice. You will be put through to our advice line to speak to a nurse.

If you fulfill the symptom criteria you will be offered treatment with Tamiflu. Tamiflu needs to be collected from St Martin’s clinic by a “flu friend”. The treatment course is for 5 days and is thought to be most effective if started in the first 48hours of symptoms.

Some patients (usually those with underlying medical conditions) may need to see a doctor for assessment – they will be offered a timed appointment around midday when there are less people attending the surgery.  

Please avoid attending the surgery unnecessarily.

What to do if you have been in contact with someone with “suspected swine flu”.

If you are unwell with symptoms seek advice from our nurse team as above. If you feel well you do not need assessment or to isolate yourself. You can attend school/work as usual. 

General measures if you are unwell.

Stay well hydrated.
Use paracetamol and or ibuprofen to control fever and aches and pains.
Wash hands.
Stay off work/school until symptoms have settled. 

Other useful contact websites.

www.hpa.org.uk  (health protection agency) and www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk