SWINE FLU
Sorry to put a damper on things but I do need to keep you up to date on the latest news regarding swine ‘flu. So the message is quite a serious one. Sadly, swine ‘flu is on the increase and the government has officially given it pandemic status.
The problem with swine ‘flu, and the reason it can spread so quickly, is that because it is a new virus, no-one has any natural immunity to it and everyone could be at risk of catching it.
Whilst many of us will experience the usual ‘flu like symptoms and be over it in a few days, it may affect others more seriously, particularly the very young, the elderly and those who suffer from chronic diseases.
There are, however, things we can do to try and contain it. You should have already received through your door, leaflets from the Department of Health with advice of what to do, and what not to do, but feel free to collect one from Reeth Medical Centre if you can’t place yours.
If you think you may be suffering from swine ‘flu the most important thing is to keep away from other people. In other words STAY INDOORS! Don’t hesitate to call us to speak to one of the doctors if you have two or more of the following symptoms: High fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache, chills, body aches, fatigue or tiredness, but PLEASE, don’t come to the surgery.
If you are diagnosed with swine ‘flu by the doctor, you may need to take antiviral medication and it is important that you receive your medication as fast as possible. However, antiviral medication cannot be supplied from the Dispensary at Reeth Medical Centre.
Instead, the NHS has appointed designated collection points in the region. A prescription or voucher for the antiviral medication can be collected from Reeth Medical Centre by a friend and taken to one of these antiviral collection points.
Who can collect my voucher and where can I get the antiviral medication?
Once your diagnosis has been confirmed by the Doctor, please appoint your own ‘Flu Friend’ and ask them to come to the surgery to collect your prescription or voucher. Do not under any circumstances come to collect it yourself.
The staff at here will tell your ‘Flu Friend’ where the nearest antiviral collection point is – and will also give directions. The authorised voucher can only be taken to one of the named pharmacies or collection points.
Won’t my ‘flu friend’ need medication as well?
No. People who are in contact with (or who think they might have been in contact with), someone who has swine ‘flu, do not need antiviral treatment unless they themselves are unwell.
Above all, the message is: Protect yourself. Protect others. Call us on 884396 or the Out of Hours number is: 0845 056 8060.
Last updated on 10 May 2010.
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