This page was last updated 21/07/09
Please see the News section for updated details relating to swine flu in Pencoed and Llanharan
Do I have
swine flu?
Your first action should be to contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for
advice.
Suspect swine flu if:
Sudden onset fever (>38°) and TWO or more of the following:
 | Cough |
| Sore throat |
| Runny nose |
| Limb/joint pain |
| Headache |
Unfortunately, these symptoms are not unique to the flu and many patients with simple viral infections may have very similar symptoms. One of the features of this particular outbreak is that the fever starts quite quickly after the onset of the symptoms.
What should I do if I have the symptoms of flu?
Provided you do not belong to one of the high risk groups (below), you should stay at home until you are well. Take paracetamol regularly and plenty of fluids. Do not attempt to go into work or "soldier on". It is foolish to go to work with the flu and you will only spread the virus amongst your colleagues. If you do not belong to a high risk group, you will not be given Tamiflu and will be treated with paracetamol and fluids alone. Unless you are seriously unwell and in need of urgent medical attention, you should not need to contact the surgery.
What should I do when I contact the surgery?
The first point of contact will be our receptionist who will have been trained
to deal with your call effectively. The receptionist will need the following
information:
|
Whether the patient has symptoms of swine flu. In particular, they will want to know if the patient has a fever greater than 38 degrees. |
|
Whether the patient is seriously ill and in need urgent medical attention (irrespective of whether they have symptoms of the flu) |
|
Do they belong to one of the high risk groups: |
High risk groups:
|
<5yrs old |
|
>65 yrs old |
|
Chronic lung, heart, kidney or neurological disease |
|
Chemotherapy, or drugs affecting immune system (steroids, Methotrexate, azathioprine etc) |
|
Pregnant women |
|
Patients who’ve been treated for asthma within past 3 years |
|
“Morbidly obese” patients (BMI > 40). i.e. patients who are exceptionally overweight |
If necessary, you may be called back by a doctor or nurse for further assessment, but the receptionist will make this clear to you when you call.
Under 5s
Children young enough to be carried, if they need face to face assessment, will
be seen in their parents car in the car park after surgery has finished. You
will be asked for the car registration number and you will be told to phone the
surgery upon arrival. A doctor or nurse will then come out to see you. In
keeping with national guidelines, the doctor or nurse will be wearing a surgical
mask, plastic apron and latex gloves. These items are discarded in between
patients.
I've had contact with somebody who has swine flu
Wait and see. We are not giving Tamiflu to patients who do not have symptoms and in any case, Tamiflu will only be given to high risk patients who currently have symptoms of flu (as detailed above)
Who is eligible for tamiflu?
Only patients who belong to the following "High risk" groups will be offered Tamiflu:
|
<5yrs old |
|
>65 yrs old |
|
Chronic lung, heart, kidney or neurological disease |
|
Chemotherapy, or drugs affecting immune system (steroids, Methotrexate, azathioprine etc) |
|
Pregnant women |
|
Patients who’ve been treated for asthma within past 3 years |
|
“Morbidly obese” patients (BMI > 40). i.e. patients who are exceptionally overweight |
Tamiflu
is only given if you have symptoms of swine flu as defined above. It is not
being given any more if you've simply had contact with somebody who may have had
swine flu. Tamiflu can be started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. At
present, if you need Tamiflu, doctors are deciding based on the information
given over the phone. If the Doctor decides that you have swine flu and belong
to a high risk group you will be issued with a prescription. Tamiflu
prescriptions:
From Monday 20th
July patients in receipt of prescriptions for antiviral medication should go to
their nearest /usual pharmacy to collect their medication.
All pharmacies within Bridgend
have received their stock and arrangements have been made to re-stock them as
required. Please remember that patients should get a 'flu friend' to collect
their prescription on their behalf, when issued
following telephone consultation, and to collect their antivirals from their
pharmacy.
Prescriptions for suspension for children (under 1s) can only be
dispensed from hospital pharmacies - Princess of Wales Hospital - in the
Bridgend area.
How is it spread?
This is a very important consideration. Not only is it desirable to avoid influenza in the first place, but if you have it, you have a duty not to pass it on to others! Bear in mind that if you pass it on to healthcare professionals - who are no more immune to it than anyone else - then there will be fewer doctors and nurses available to help out! Never has the phrase "coughs and sneezes spread diseases" been more important!
|
Cover your mouth with a tissue if you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the tissue after use and wash your hands. |
|
Frequent handwashing |
|
Isolation if you have the symptoms - there is nothing "stoic" about trying to go to work if you have the symptoms of the flu - you will only pass it on to others |
How are the doctors dealing with swine flu?
We are dealing with swine flu in the following ways:
Receptionists have been issued with guidelines to identify which patients have the symptoms of swine flu. If a patient has symptoms of swine flu, they do not belong to a high risk group and they are not seriously unwell, they will be advised to stay at home and take plenty of paracetamol and fluids until they are better.
SIMPLY HAVING SWINE FLU IS NOT IN ITSELF A REASON TO SEE THE DOCTOR.
WE ONLY WANT TO HEAR FROM THOSE WHO BELONG TO HIGH RISK GROUPS OR ARE SO SERIOUSLY UNWELL THAT THEY NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR
If a patient has symptoms of swine flu and are either seriously unwell or belong to a high risk group, they are placed on a "swine flu callback list" where they will be phoned back by a triage nurse or doctor to decide on the best way of dealing with them. If a patient has swine flu and is seriously ill enough to need to be seen, they will be seen at home and NOT at the surgery. Children young enough to be carried will be assessed in their parents' cars in the surgery car park.
The main problems for the doctors:
1. Patients turning up at the surgery with symptoms of swine flu. This is the single most effective way of passing on swine flu to the most vulnerable patients in the community whilst passing on the flu to the medical staff. If the doctors, nurses and receptionists are all ill with swine flu, then there is nobody to look after our patients!
2. Abusive patients who have been waiting longer than anticipated for their appointment. We're doing our best. We have the same number of staff but a huge increase in telephone calls and house visits. We have to prioritise to deal with the most sick patients. If you've been sat in the waiting room for a long time, it is for a good reason. The doctor isn't ignoring you, he or she may be dealing with urgent queries on the phone or may have been called out on an urgent home visit. Even if it seems quiet in the waiting room, it may not be quiet "behind the scenes". Most of our patients are understanding of this and we are very grateful for your patience. Unfortunately, a vocal minority are abusing staff and this does nothing to help the situation.
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