The World Health Organization has rated the UK as one of the countries best prepared for a swine flu pandemic.
Stocks of antiviral medicines and antibiotics are available to treat anyone who becomes ill during the current pandemic.
Also, the swine flu vaccination programme began on 21 October 2009. The vaccine will protect people against infection and is being given to those at the greatest risk first.
Paracetamol
As with ordinary flu, people who come down with swine flu should take lots of rest and use standard paracetamol-based cold remedies to reduce their temperature and help relieve symptoms.
Some of the over-the-counter treatments used by adults can be given to children for the relief of the symptoms of flu, in line with the instructions supplied with each medicine. However, children under 16 must not be given aspirin or ready-made flu remedies containing aspirin. It is important to always read the label or check with the pharmacist that a medicine is suitable for use in children.
Antivirals
The antiviral medications oseltamavir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are also being used throughout the UK to treat people with swine flu. Antivirals are not a cure for swine flu, but will help to:
- reduce the length of time you are ill by around one day,
- relieve some of the symptoms, and
- reduce the potential for serious complications such as pneumonia.
The UK has recently received a further delivery of Tamiflu and Relenza bringing the current stockpile up to 50 million doses, which is enough to treat 80% of the population.
Tamiflu and Relenza are both medicines of the same type, but Relenza comes as an inhaler (rather than a pill) and is recommended for use in pregnancy.
Currently, antiviral medication is being offered to people confirmed to have swine flu by the National Pandemic Flu Service or by their GP. For more information, see How are those with confirmed swine flu getting access to antivirals?
It is especially important that high-risk groups get antivirals and start taking them as soon after symptoms start as possible. High-risk groups include people with:
- chronic (long-term) lung disease,
- chronic heart disease,
- chronic kidney disease,
- chronic liver disease,
- chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis),
- immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment), or
- diabetes mellitus.
Also at risk are:
- patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years,
- pregnant women,
- people aged 65 and over, and
- young children under five.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to treat swine flu patients who develop complications. They help combat bacterial infections such as pneumonia.
The NHS already holds substantial stocks of antibiotics. Further orders were placed for 15.2 million courses of antibiotics to help fight swine flu and 90% of those orders have now been delivered.
In hospitals, antibiotics will be used to treat the most ill patients and may reduce the length of hospitalisation.
Vaccine
The NHS swine flu vaccination programme began on 21 October 2009. The vaccine is being given to those at the greatest risk first.
Approximately 50 million doses are expected by the end of the year, with more following after that.
The government has ordered enough vaccine for the whole population. It will focus on those at the greatest risk first. The vaccine will initially be given to the following groups, in this order:
- People aged between six months and 65 years who usually get the seasonal flu jab.
- All pregnant women.
- People who live with those whose immune systems are compromised, such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS.
- People aged 65 and over who usually get the seasonal flu jab.
- Young children aged over six months and under five years.
For more information, go to the swine flu vaccine page.
More on treatment:
Flu service: Q&A
How to care for yourself at home
Advice for pregnant women
How do the antivirals work?
How effective are Relenza and Tamiflu?
What if I forget to take a dose?
How are those with confirmed swine flu getting access to antivirals?
If I take an antiviral and have side effects, whom should I inform?
Does Tamiflu go out of date?
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