Swine Flu
04 January 2011
General information, useful links and advice on vaccination
About swine flu
Swine flu is not transmitted by food and you can't get swine flu from eating pork or pork products.
Advice for Parents
Parents and women during pregnancy may have particular concerns about the spread of swine flu. But, the vast majority of swine flu cases have been mild, with symptoms similar to seasonal flu.
In preparing for swine flu, one thing you can do right now is to make sure you have a thermometer to take your child’s temperature. If they have a temperature of 38° C or above and they have any two of the following symptoms, then you should call your GP straight away. The symptoms are:
- tiredness
- headache
- runny nose and sneezing
- sore throat
- shortness of breath
- loss of appetite
- vomiting and diarrhoea
- aching muscles, limb and joint pain
If your child is less than one year old and you think they might have swine flu, call your GP immediately.
You can read more about the vaccination programme at the following nidirect page
Hygiene advice
Following normal hygiene practices can help limit the spread of swine flu:
cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, use a tissue whenever possible
- dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
- maintain good basic hygiene, for example, wash your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of germs from your hands to face or to other people
- clean surfaces that people often touch, such as door handles
- encourage your children to follow this advice.
For further information please contact:
Alison Marsh
Telephone: 028 9335 8000
E-Mail: amarsh.envhealth@carrickfergus.org
Web: http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/news-jan11-get-the-flu-jab-protect-yourself-and-others
