Swine flu update

The Mayor is aware of the growing concern about swine flu in London and across the country. Along with the Mayor’s health advisor, Pamela Chesters and Simon Tanner, Director of Public Health, NHS London, the Mayor continues to work with key public health agencies, Transport for London and the Met Police to ensure that London is as prepared as possible.

By now many of us will know of someone who has been affected by swine flu, but equally we will know that the majority of these people have fully recovered after a few days rest at home. We can all play an important part in dealing with swine flu by following the simple NHS guidelines, set out below.

The National Pandemic Flu Service

The National Pandemic Flu Service is a new dedicated website and phoneline for people to get information, check their symptoms and get a unique number which will given them access to antivirals if necessary.

The website is www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu.

For people living in England or registered with a GP in England, call freephone number: 0800 1 513 100 or 0800 1513 200 (textphone).

People who have swine flu symptoms will be given a unique access number and told where their nearest antiviral collection point is. They should then ask a flu friend - a friend or relative who doesn't have swine flu - to go and pick up their antivirals.

The flu friend must show their own ID as well as that of the patient. The authorisation number and ID information will be checked to ensure it matches the information provided when the assessment of symptoms was completed.

How do I know if I have swine flu?

For most people, swine flu is a slightly milder version of the seasonal flu virus. Sufferers can expect to feel a range of flu-like symptoms such as fever, coughing, headaches, sneezing, running nose, muscle ache and sore throat. You can check your symptoms on the National Pandemic Flu Service website, or call the National Pandemic Flu Service information line on: 0800 1 513 100 or 0800 1513 200 (textphone). If you are still concerned, call your GP, who can provide a diagnosis over the phone.

I think I have swine flu. What should I do?

If you are a healthy adult and you start to feel flu-like symptoms, the current advice from NHS London is to stay at home and use over-the-counter flu remedies to relieve the symptoms.

For young, pregnant or elderly people or those with underlying health conditions, then it is recommended that you (or someone close to you) call your GP.

What can you do to help the situation?

It is thought that swine flu is spread in a similar way to the seasonal flu virus, which is from person to person through coughing and sneezing and by touching objects that have the virus on them from an infected person. You cannot catch swine flu from eating pork-based products.

You can help reduce the chances of transmission by practising good hygiene, including:

covering nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing
putting dirty tissues in the bin straightaway
washing hands frequently with soap
keeping hard surfaces clean

Download latest advice from NHS London

‘Got Flu? Stay at Home’ PDF only

Find out more

For more information, you can call the National Pandemic Flu Service on: 0800 1 513 100 or 0800 1513 200 (textphone) or find up-to-date advice on the following websites: