Patients should follow general government advice regarding swine flu
Online - http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu
By Telephone - Swine Flu Information Line 0800 1 513 513
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Typical symptoms are sudden fever (38oC / 100.4oF) and sudden cough.
Other symptoms are headache, chills, aching muscles and joints, diarrhoea or stomach upset, sore throat, runny nose, loss of appetite
Please note that some cases do not present with fever ~ Moog's edit
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/health/13fever.html
Can I avoid catching swine flu?
In general you should not change your daily activities to avoid exposure to swine flu. If you know that someone has symptoms of swine flu then it would be sensible to avoid this person, if possible, for the duration they have symptoms.
What should I do if I am exposed to someone who has symptoms of swine flu?
If you have caught swine flu you can expect symptoms to develop within 2-7 days of exposure.
If you develop symptoms of swine flu you should follow national swine flu guidance e.g. contact your GP or National Pandemic Flu Service (check for latest guidance on website / information line given at top of page).
Patients taking Steroids
Symptoms may be less marked in patients taking steroids (e.g. prednisolone) therefore if you feel unwell and think you may have swine flu please contact your GP even if your symptoms are not as severe as other peoples.
- Steroids should NOT be stopped
Patients taking Biologic therapies (e.g. adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab, tocilizumab, anakinra) or cyclophosphamide.
Symptoms may be less marked in patients taking these treatments Therefore if you feel unwell and think you may have swine flu please contact your GP even if your symptoms are not as severe as other peoples.
- If you have been in direct contact with someone who has definite swine (at a time when they had symptoms) you should stop your treatment for 7 days.
If you have not developed symptoms of swine flu after 7 days you can restart treatment.
Patients taking azathioprine, ciclosporin, gold, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, methotrexate, mycophenolate, penicillamine, sulphasalazine
- If you have been in direct contact with someone who has definite swine flu (at a time when they had symptoms) you should stop your treatment for 7 days. If you have not developed symptoms of swine flu after 7 days you can restart treatment.
-The exception to this information is if your consultant rheumatologist has recommended that you do not stop treatment.
What should I do if I develop symptoms of swine 'flu?
If you develop symptoms of swine flu you should contact your GP / national swine flu advice line and consider treatment with tamiflu in the usual way. (see website and telephone information at top of page)
Patients taking Biologic therapies (e.g. adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab, tocilizumab, anakinra) or cyclophosphamide.
Patients taking methotrexate, azathioprine, ciclosporin, hydroxychloroquine, mycophenolate, gold, leflunomide, sulphasalazine
- Stop your treatment until the symptoms of swine flu have gone away completely. You can then restart your treatment.
- Steroids (e.g. prednisolone) MUST NOT be stopped. If you are unwell the dose may need to be increased. Please discuss with your GP.
- If your 'flu symptoms are very severe or deteriorating and you feel very unwell it is important to seek advice from your GP. This is because you may be at higher risk than most people of developing a secondary bacterial infection that may require antibiotics.
Should I have a 'flu jab?
When the swine flu vaccination is available (later in the Summer or Autumn) it is likely that your GP surgery will run a programme of vaccination in the same way as the usual annual 'flu jab.
You should also have the usual annual 'flu jab in the normal way.
Version 1.0 22 July 2009
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