Flu is an acute respiratory illness, which usually causes high fever, severe weakness and fatigue. It makes you feel very sick, more than a normal cold.

Does this flu spread easily?
The new flu virus can spread quickly from person to person through tiny drops in coughs and sneezes. If you are close to a person with flu you can breathe them in and become infected. Droplets can also be passed from surfaces like door handles and hand rails.

How will I know if I have got flu?

First of all you need to check the symptoms you are having. Flu begins very suddenly, within a few hours of feeling well. The symptoms include:

• a fever of 38 C or 100.4 F that begins very suddenly
• severe tiredness
• a cough
• a sore throat
• muscle aches and pains
• a runny nose
• a headache
• Some people have vomiting and diarrhoea

If you have a fever, are severely tired or weak and have these other symptoms, you are likely to have the flu. Since there is so much flu circulating now, doctors will not be performing lab tests on all cases of flu - only on people with severe illness or in at-risk groups. So, any confirmed flu symptoms will be diagnosed as probable Swine Flu and treated accordingly.

What are the diferences betwen pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and the comon cold?
It can be difficult at times to distinguish between the common cold and influenza. The main difference is that the symptoms of influenza come on rapidly and are typically accompanied by muscle aches and a fever.

The common cold has a more gradual onset and is associated with a runny nose and sneezing. An important additional feature of Swine Flu is that diarrhoea and vomiting occur occasionally.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you get sick with a flu-like illness, phone the HSE automated Flu Information Line on Freephone 1800 94 11 00. This is available 24 hours a day, and has detailed advice on symptoms and how to care for yourself or someone else at home. Listen to the symptoms of the flu and the advice on caring for someone at home. Most people with flu are able to recover at home within a week without needing anti-viral medicine or medical care.

How do I care for someone with flu at home?

This flu mostly causes a mild to moderate illness. It is uncomfortable but most people do not need treatment with anti-viral medicine and are able to recover at home within a few days.

• Stay at home for up to 7 days or until you fully recover, do not go to work or school while ill
• Rest in bed as much as possible
• Take medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce the symptoms
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Discourage any visitors
• Contact your GP surgery by telephone if you don't improve, or if you start to improve and then get worse

What are the Higher Risk Groups
People who have very severe symptoms, or are in one of the high risk groups should contact their GP/family doctor by telephone if they get the flu.

People in high risk groups include:

• People whose immune system is reduced by disease or medication.
• People with chronic lung, heart, kidney, liver or neurological disease.
• People with Diabetes mellitus.
• People aged 65 years and older.
• Children under 5 years.
• People on medication for asthma.
• Severely obese people (Body Mass Index of 40 or more).
• Pregnant women.
• People with Haemoglobinopathies.

 If you are in one of these groups and get flu symptoms, you should phone your GP surgery; your GP will decide if you need treatment. The GP may arrange for you to be seen at their surgery or may arrange a home visit. If the GP diagnoses you with flu, and you need anti-viral medicine, it can be picked up from any pharmacy free of charge on prescription.

If you are an adult
If you have taken the basic care steps outlined above and you start to feel worse, or if after a few days you are not feeling better, you may need more advice from your doctor. Contact your GP surgery by phone if you notice:

 Shortness of breath at rest or while doing very little.

• Painful or difficult breathing.
• Coughing up bloody sputum.
• Drowsiness, disorientation or confusion.
• Fever for 4-5 days and not starting to get better (or getting worse).
• Starting to feel better then developing high fever and feeling unwell again.
• Chest pain
• Turning blue

 Caring for someone at home
Most people with flu will recover after several days by following the basic steps outlined earlier. If you are at home with flu, or taking care of someone at home, follow these important tips to stop flu spreading:

• The person who has flu should stay in one room with the door closed and if possible with the window open.
• Other family members should try not to spend too much time with the person with flu, and should avoid sharing dishes, books, toys, etc.
• Avoid being face to face with the sick person.
• Discourage visits from persons not living in the household. This is important to stop flu from spreading to other people.
• People with flu should cover their nose and mouth with disposable tissues when sneezing or coughing. If you have no tissues immediately available, coughing or sneezing into your arm or sleeve (not into your hand) is recommended.
• Used tissues should be put by the ill person directly into a bin. Bin bags should be sealed in the room and taken directly outside by the carer for collection with regular rubbish.
• Wash hands often with soap and water, and especially after coughing and sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• All persons in the household should clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub (minimum 60% alcohol) frequently, including after every contact with the sick person or the person's room or bathroom.
• Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth with hands as this also spreads flu virus.
• Surfaces and items inside the house should be cleaned regularly with bleach based household cleaners.
• When the vaccine is available and you are called make sure you get it to protect your family and yourself.

24 Hour HSE Flu Information Line Freephone 1800 94 11 00

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