Have I got swine flu?
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If you think you have swine flu you can call the swine flu pandemic line on 0800 1 513 100 or log onto www.direct.gov.uk
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Swine flu is still spreading in the UK - but how do you know if you've got swine flu or just ordinary flu?
England now has a flu pandemic service, meaning you can now get anti-viral medication without contacting your doctor if you think you have swine flu. Read on for more information and to answer the question 'Have I got swine flu?'.
The symptoms of swine flu
The symptoms are similar to those of normal flu. Most people recover fully within a week, even without special treatment.
Typical symptoms are:
- a sudden fever - a temperature of 38° (100.4F) and above
- a sudden cough
Other symptoms may include:
- a sore throat
- tiredness
- chills
- sneezing
- diarrhoea or upset stomach
- loss of appetite
- headache
- limb or joint pain
- muscle aches
- runny nose
What to do if you think you've got symptoms swine flu
At the moment the advice is to stay at home - don't go to the doctor's surgery or to A&E as you could pass the virus on to others.
If you live in England, call the flu pandemic line on 0800 1 513 100 (text phone 0800 1 513 200) or visit their website at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu
If you have swine flu you'll be given a voucher number that a flu friend - a healthy friend or relative - can take to pick up anti-viral medication for you. They must take along their ID as well as yours.
You should contact your GP directly (instead of using the service) if you're in one of the following groups:
- You have a serious underlying health condition
- You are pregnant
- You have a sick child under 1 year old
- Your condition suddenly gets much worse
- Your condition is still getting worse after 7 days (5 days for a child)
For other parts of the UK, call your GP or use the following numbers:
Wales: NHS direct on 0845 46 47
Scotland: NHS24 on 08454 24 24 24
Northern Ireland: NI helpline on 0800 0514 142 (operates from 8am-8pm)
More info about the flu pandemic service
Protect and prepare for swine flu
Swine flu is spread by germs from coughing and sneezing, so the best way to protect yourself is to follow basic hygiene rules. Cough or sneeze into a clean tissue and then throw the tissue away. Wash your hands as soon as you can afterwards.
The best thing you can do to prepare for swine flu becoming more widespread is to set up a 'flu friend'. This is someone who can get medicine, such as Tamiflu, and other supplies for you if you do get swine flu - as you are advised not to leave the house if you get it. Keep paracetamol based medicines in the house - as these can help to reduce the symptoms of swine flu. Have a thermometer available so you can check temperature.
See the government's swine flu information leaflet
- Have you had swine flu? Tell us all about it and your story could appear on goodtoknow
Sources: NHS.uk
Where to next?
-October 26: Swine flu vaccinations begin
- Swine flu need to know guide - the latest news and all the facts
- How underlying health problems affect swine flu
- Dr Chris Steele's expert advice on swine flu
- How to stop infections and viruses from spreading
- Worried about another condition? More health information
By Katie McPhilimy
Where to next?
-
5 schools close due to swine flu
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How to stop infections and viruses
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How will Britain cope in a flu pandemic?
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One in three could get swine flu
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Swine flu: How could it affect you?
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Swine flu: More cases confirmed in the UK
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Swine flu need-to-know guide
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Swine flu spreads to the UK
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Swine flu: US girl dies of virus
-
Hand washing video
-
Preventing colds and flu
Please leave a comment, tip or story in the box below
zoe, about 1 month
i got diagnosed with swine flu about 3 weeks ago ad i think i may have it again although my symptoms are worse than the last time
Report this commentd greener, about 1 month
my son age 5 was treated for swine flu last week after developing the symptoms and has just finished tamiflu capsules by the way great to mix with squeezy yoghurts never new the difference . but now i have what seems like a cold sinus pain ,headache and runny nose but thats it and wondered if its true that one becomes the host like my son and if other family members catch it get a small dose !! would appreciate some help on this thanks
Report this commentAimee, about 1 month
hi i think i got SWINE FLU i have got 7 out of 9 what shall i do . it was my b-day yesterday i speak i am only 13 !!!! please help my brother has got a cold and my father has it bad like me . PLEASE HELP WE NEED TO KNOW !!!!!!!
Report this commentKieran, 2 months
Hello recently got back from holiday in turkey and recently been travelling to worcester for college. i feel i may have the virus. i keep sneezing, runny nose and pain in my lower stomache which has only recently started ( 10 mins or so). any suggestions? thanks.
Report this commentanne, 3 months
i really think my dad has swine flu....he has a bad headache since the morning,he has a chest pain and his body in acheing!! HELP HELP!! im the only one to take care of him and im only 16!!!!!!
Report this commentabdul , 3 months
i have flu from 3 days and i had sore throat and and feel some weakness and went to the one doctor he said go for check up but when i went to the swine flu check up they say u may have normal flu have these medicine and come back after 3 days if u feel bad till now does it means that i have swine flu or is it late till that time?
Report this commentryan newton, 3 months
i think i have been suffering with swine flu for the last 2 weeks. i have had banging headaches, sore throat, ear ache, vomiting, diarrhoea and my chest has been really tight and i cant stop coughing, but that could be down to my asthma... not sure what to do, as i have got to go to the docs about my asthma coz i cant really breathe and need to get another prescription for my inhalers. what should i do?
Report this commentVicky , 4 months
It appears that swine flu stops people from using correct spelling and grammar too.
Report this commentRuth, 4 months
I think I had Swine flu a month ago. I had all the symptoms and was in bed for 4 days, unable to do anything. When I rang my doctor I was told to drink lots of fluids, take paracetamol and rest. No-one at the surgery seemed bothered that I may have the virus and no follow up was suggested. It took me 2 weeks to feel human again and for my throat to heal. I suppose I shall never know whether it was swine flu or not!!!
Report this commentCarla, 4 months
hey about a month ago i was diagnosed with hayfever by my local pharamacist and was perscribed treatment. However, the tablets hould have eased of the sneezing. Last week, i experinced alot of sneezing and stuffy nose, i still blame the hayfever, but now im strating to become really concerned about my health. Im 18 years old, and i suffer from asthma. I rarely take my inhailors. On monday i woke up to find myself sweating, and the next thing i was cold. Tuesday, a spent all day with a headache (which my sister narrowed down to tension), however i also experienced a sore throat. This lingered through wednesday, till last night i was bent over with a terrible headache. My head felt heavy plus my throat was causing more bother. I ttok some paracitemol to ease the pain and went to bed. This morning, i woke up to find myself roasting, with a really sore throat, that bad, that i find it hard to swallow and speak and the headache was still around..Now im researching all the webs about swine flu. I could also feel a wheeze forming in my chest cause a tickly barking cause. What do you think i should do? Should i go to my gp to get tested? or shall i leave my system to try and fight it off by itself? x
Report this commentshaun, 4 months
hello, i have had a runny nose and bad stomach and i have had the dierria, and also a head ache for 3 days now, what do i do?
Report this commentnicky , 4 months
I think i have swine flu =( i live in essex and recently i have felt very bad , my stomach is churning alot , i have a cod sweat , chills and constant headaches , also i am very dizzy , i woke up last night feeling very sick more then usual and i was most dizzy i have been yet , i went down stairs and took some pills, but i did not get back to sleep , can anyone help me.
Report this commentFay, 4 months
My older daughter is 4yrs old, has a nasty cough, says she has a sore throat, keeps sneezing and keeps saying she don't feel good, did have temp but thats gone down. My younger daughter of 3yrs, she just has nasty cough. what do you think?
Report this commentsharon , 4 months
helooo i think i have swine flu because i have 4 simpton sout of 9 i also suther from ather.i had a temputure last night and it was very bad... i am from manchester my family keep on making fun out of me because they think im joking.
Report this commentLee-Anne, 4 months
I also am scared i have swine flu because for days i have had a nasty throat, dry cough and bad head??? people say your doc can diagnose but how if they advise us to not go to docs with symptons x
Report this commentmahiisha..x, 5 months
helloo i think i have swine flu because i ahd a really bad cough and i am sneezing all the time i also have a bad sore throat and i hav all the symtoms i live in birmingham what shall i do i have called the helpling and they have just given me information??
Report this commentSophia Williamson, 6 months
My best friend is suffereing with all the symptoms of swine flu, she lives in Lincoln and hasn't been out of the country. How shall we sort it out?
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abdula, 17 days
i think i got swine flu because i get really bad coughs and head ache and sneezing please tell me what to do
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