Remember to cover your mouth with a tissue when you sneeze PA

The NHS has issued advice to Londoners about how best to deal with the threat of swine flu. The in-depth advice is below, but thelondonpaper has picked out the four key points:

1. Be hygienic. Sneeze and cough into tissues, and throw the tissues away promptly in the bin. Wash your hands regularly and keep surfaces clean.
2. Stay home if you have any symptoms of flu. Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Phone your GP or NHS Direct if you’ve recently visited Mexico or the US, or if you develop complications
3. Don’t worry about staying out of crowds if you're healthy. The public are advised to carry on with their daily lives.
4. Find some “flu buddies” – friends and relatives who could help you by supplying medicine, food and so on if you fall ill, so that you don’t have to leave home and spread the virus

MORE NHS ADVICE

What can I do to avoid infection?

Being hygienic is the best way of reducing the risk of catching or spreading influenza. Remember to:

• Use a tissue when coughing or sneezing
• Throw used tissues away promptly and carefully
• Keep clean and hygienic - for example, wash your hands frequently with soap and water
• Clean hard surfaces (eg kitchen worktops, door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.

You can also prepare now and in the build-up to a possible pandemic by:

• Confirming a network of "flu buddies" – friends and relatives who could help you if you fall ill. They could collect medicines and other supplies for you so you don’t have to leave home and risk spreading the virus.
• Knowing your NHS number and those of other family members and keeping them in a safe place. You can find your number on your medical card or other items such as prescribed medication, GP letters or hospital appointment cards/letters.
• Having a stock of food and other supplies at home that will last for two weeks, in case you and your family are ill.

I have flu-like symptoms - what should I do?

• Stay at home and rest.
• Take medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve the symptoms (following the instructions with the medicines). Children under 16 must not be given aspirin or ready-made flu remedies containing aspirin.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Phone your GP or NHS Direct (0845 4647) if you have recently travelled to Mexico or another affected area or if you develop complications such as shortness of breath.

Does the UK government have special drugs available?

The government has a stockpile of antiviral drugs (such as Tamiflu and Relenza) which should be sufficient to treat up to half of the population if they become ill – a reasonable worst-case scenario. The health secretary has said that the drugs have been shown to be effective if given in good time.

"Being hygienic is the best way of reducing the risk of catching or spreading influenza"

The government has also announced that additional antiviral medication has been ordered to increase UK supplies to 50 million doses, enough to treat 80 per cent of the population.

How will I gain access to antivirals?

Arrangements are being put in place with local healthcare services for antivirals to be made available to those who need them.

People with symptoms and others at risk will be assessed by their GP. If antivirals are required, the GP will contact the local health protection unit, which is co-ordinating the distribution of antivirals.

If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned, stay at home. You can check your symptoms using the symptom checker. If you are still concerned, call your GP or NHS Direct (0845 4647) . Do not travel out to your GP or hospital.

Do I need a face mask?

The widespread wearing of masks during a pandemic is unlikely to be effective at preventing people from becoming infected with the virus. However, they may have some limited ability to stop those already infected with the virus from spreading it.

There is no convincing scientific evidence that the widespread issue of face masks to healthy members of the public can stop this disease spreading. Moreover, they give can false reassurance and can encourage people to ignore basic and straightforward hand hygiene measures that are known to be effective.

Phone your GP or NHS Direct (0845 4647) if you have recently travelled to Mexico or the United States (California, New York, Texas) AND have one of the following:

• Fever of 38C/100F or more.
• History of fever AND flu-like illness (two or more of the following symptoms: cough, runny nose, limb/joint pain, headache).
• Other severe/life-threatening illness suggestive of an infectious process.