what is swine flu?

Swine flu, or influenza A (H1N1), is a respiratory disease that infects pigs and is caused by a flu virus. There are regular outbreaks of swine flu in pigs, which become ill but rarely die from the virus. Swine flu does not normally infect humans although this does occasionally happen when people have had close contact with pigs.

There is evidence that swine flu is spreading from person to person, which could lead to what is called a 'pandemic flu outbreak'. Pandemic flu is different from ordinary flu because it is a new strain of the virus that appears in humans and spreads quickly from person to person worldwide.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is closely monitoring cases of swine flu to see how it develops.

Who is at risk?

Swine flu is a new virus so no-one will have immunity to it and everyone could be at risk of catching it. This includes healthy adults as well as older people and children.

What is pandemic flu?

Pandemic flu occurs when an influenza virus emerges that is so different from previously circulating strains that few, if any, people have any immunity to it. This allows it to spread widely and rapidly, causing serious illness.

The differences between ordinary flu and pandemic flu include:

Ordinary flu

• occurs every year during the winter
• affects 10 to 15 per cent of the UK popuation
• most people recover within 1 or 2 weeks without medical treatment
• can be identified in advance and a vaccine can be made (this immunisation is known as the flu jab and helps protect people from ordinary flu)

Pandemic flu

• occurs during any season
• affects more people than ordinary flu (up to half the population)
• is a more serious infection
• people of all ages may be at risk of infection
• a vaccine cannot be made because the virus strain has not been identified
• antiviral medicine is stockpiled to treat people

Symptoms

Flu symptoms can include:

• fever
• cough
• headache
• weakness and fatigue
• aching muscles and joints
• sore throat
• runny nose

In the case of pandemic flu, these symptoms are likely to be worse.

A global pandemic has been declared. To prepare yourself:

• always carry tissues - catching the germs in a tissue could help limit the spread of the virus
  
• know your NHS number (this will be in NHS letters or prescriptions)
  
• keep up to date with the latest help and advice available through radio, TV and the internet – follow the links below for more advice on Directgov
  
• confirm your ‘flu friends’ - these are friends and neighbours who can help you if you become ill; they could get your medication or food for you so that you don’t have to leave the house - this will help stop the virus from spreading
  
• have a two-week stock of food and other supplies in case you and your family are ill