Find out what to do if you feel unwell and think you may have swine flu.
The most common symptoms of swine flu are fever, sore throat, diarrhoea, headache, feeling generally unwell and a dry cough – in other words symptoms very similar to seasonal flu.
Stay at Home and Phone Your GP
With the number of swine flu cases falling, the National Pandemic Flu Service telephone line and assessment website has now closed.
If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu, read about swine flu symptoms on the NHS website and stay at home.
Do not go out to your GP or a hospital A&E, and do not go in to work.
You should telephone your GP if:
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you have a serious existing condition that weakens your immune system, such as cancer
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you are pregnant
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you have a sick child under one
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your condition suddenly gets much worse, or
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your condition is still getting worse after seven days (five for a child)
Advice for People in High Risk Groups
For most people, swine flu is a mild illness. Some people get better by staying in bed, drinking plenty of water and taking over-the-counter flu medication containing paracetamol.
However, some groups of people are more at risk of serious illness if they catch swine flu, and will need to start taking antiviral medication as soon it is confirmed that they have it.
It is already known that you are particularly at risk if you have:
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chronic (long-term) lung disease
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chronic heart disease
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chronic kidney disease
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chronic liver disease
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chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease)
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immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment) or
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diabetes mellitus
Also at risk are:
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patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years
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pregnant women
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people aged 65 and older, and
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young children under five
It is vital that people in these higher-risk groups who catch swine flu get antivirals and start taking them as soon as possible.
