Swine flu: Dr Chris Steele's expert advice

Swine flu UK: Dr Chris Steele's expert advice on swine flu

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Lots of you have specific questions about swine flu, so we talked to Woman magazine's Dr Chris Steele for his expert advice.

1. Is it obvious when you have swine flu?

Yes, it is. Swine flu's just like a normal flu virus and I always go by the 'Tenner Test'. If you really have flu, then you'll feel so bad you won't be able to get up out of a chair or bed to get a 10-pound note across the room. If you have a cold, it's no problem to pick it up.

You'll have all the classic symptoms of flu, including muscle aches and joint pains and a temperature over 38°, which usually highlight the difference between flu and a normal cold.

2. Are there any differences between swine flu and seasonal flu?

There seem to be two things that are different. Swine flu seems to be targeting young people and children, whereas seasonal flu is normally worse in the elderly.

Swine flu is also causing vomiting and diarrhoea which aren't normal symptoms of flu.

3. So should we be worried by swine flu?

No. There's no need to worry. People keep forgetting that normal, seasonal flu kills up to 20,000 people every year anyway. So far, swine flu has shown itself to be just a mild infection.

4. If you had a flu jab last winter, are you protected against swine flu?

Not really, no. When flu vaccines are created, experts look at which strains of flu are affecting countries earlier in the year, like Australia.

The H1N1 virus, which is the official name for swine flu wasn't around properly last year, so last winter's flu jab wouldn't specifically protect against that. However, it's possible that people who had a flu jab might have some partial protection.

5. Can you avoid swine flu?

No. You can only try to reduce your chances of coming into contact with it. Swine flu spreads through droplets either in the air or on surfaces. That's why it's important to keep washing your hands and sneeze into disposable tissues.

6. How well does Tamiflu work?

I have to emphasize that there's no cure for flu. Tamiflu and Relenza are the two anti-viral medicines that are being given to patients at the moment. They have to be taken within 48 hours of getting swine flu and they only lower the severity of the symptoms and shorten the symptoms of swine flu. You cannot cure the flu.

7. Why are children and babies so at risk?

Basically children's immune systems aren't as developed and mature as an adult's. Over time, adults create antibodies against various strains of flu and other illnesses, but a child hasn't had the chance to do that yet.

However, I must stress again that, from what we've seen so far, swine flu is a mild infection.

- You can get more advice from Dr Chris at his website - thefamilygp.com