Swine Flu
21 August 2009
General information, useful links and advice for Parents and Pregnant Women
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 at the following nidirect page: http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/swine-flu-advice-for-parents-and-pregnant-women.htm
It is important to remember that government and health and social care organisations have been planning for a flu pandemic for years and Northern Ireland is one of the most well prepared countries in the world.
If you plan to go abroad
Before you travel look at the advice given by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on their website
The Health Protection Agency also has good advice for travellers.
And check out the news section of the BBC's website for regularly updated information on the outbreak.
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
