A new service is being launched in Sussex to help vulnerable people should they become ill with flu.
As swine flu continues to be present in the community, everyone is being urged to identify a number of family members or friends who can become Flu Friends, and help if they become unwell.
Flu Friends could be relatives, neighbours and friends who will be able to collect medicines, food and other supplies if people get swine flu, so they don’t have to leave their homes. This will help to prevent the spread of flu out into the community. Flu Friends should be people who live relatively close and those that people would be happy to share personal health details with.
However, not everyone will have someone they can ask to be their Flu Friend.
Today the Sussex Flu Friends Helpline launches on 0300 100 1822.
The helpline is available for anyone in Sussex who has become ill with flu-like symptoms, accessed the National Pandemic Flu Service or contacted their GP, and has been offered antiviral medication, but who is unable to find a Flu Friend who could collect the antivirals for them.
It is a partnership between health services in Sussex and the British Red Cross and will provide easy to access, fast help for anyone who is vulnerable when they are unwell. However due to possible demand we would encourage people to try neighbours, church groups and other community organisations first so that we make sure help is available for those who need it most.
If anyone is without a Flu Friend, they should call the Sussex Flu Friends Helpline on 0300 100 1822. They will be asked a few simple questions such as their name, address, telephone number and the unique access code they have been given from the National Pandemic Flu Service to access antivirals. The operator will then arrange for a British Red Cross volunteer to collect the antivirals and deliver them to their home.
Patients will then need to show them a piece of identification when they arrive to receive their antivirals.
This service can also be used by GPs, nurses and all primary care providers on behalf of their patients, when they come into contact with someone who will be unable to find someone who will pick up their medication for them.
The helpline will be available during working hours (9am-5pm). Out of hours there is a recorded message giving directions on how to contact the British Red Cross directly.
What is swine flu? What symptoms should I be aware of?
As swine flu spreads, it is important to be able to recognise its symptoms. People who have two or more of the following symptoms and a temperature of 38°C and above or feel hot may have swine flu.
The typical symptoms are:
• sudden fever (high body temperature of 38C/100.4F or above) &
• sudden cough.
Other symptoms may include:
• headache
• tiredness
• chills
• aching muscles
• limb or joint pain
• diarrhoea or stomach upset
• sore throat
• runny nose
• sneezing
• loss of appetite
What people do if they have flu-like symptoms?
In the majority of cases this strain of flu is a mild illness. Most people will recover fully within around seven days.
Those who do have flu-like symptoms should stay at home and check their symptoms by calling the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513, NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or visit www.nhs.uk.
Anyone still concerned should please contact the National Pandemic Flu Service, either by visiting www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu or by calling 0800 1 513 100.
Anyone with flu-like symptoms is still strongly advised not to visit hospitals or GP surgeries, but to use the National Pandemic Flu Service instead.
However, people should call their doctor direct rather than using the National Pandemic Flu Service if:
they have a serious underlying illness;
they are pregnant;
they have a sick child under one year old;
their condition suddenly gets much worse; or
if their condition is still getting worse after 7 days (5 for a child).
People contacting the National Pandemic Flu Service, or their GP, will be assessed and if necessary offered antivirals. They will be given a unique access code and told where the closest antiviral collection point is. They should then give the code and a piece of ID to their Flu Friend who can go to the collection point and pick up the medication (they must also take a piece of their ID with them as well).
Flu Friends need to be aware that it will take around twenty minutes for them to go through the assessment procedure with a member of staff at a collection point, for the member of staff to check the unique access code and both pieces of ID. They should bear this in mind when arriving at the collection point, especially when considering parking arrangements if driving.
Where can I find out more information?
For more information about swine flu please call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513513. Further information is also available on the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk
