Facts
What is swine flu (H1N1)?
Swine flu is the common name for a relatively new strain of flu that caused a pandemic in 2009-2010.
Swine flu is also referred to as H1N1 flu because it’s caused by the H1N1 strain of the flu virus.
Swine flu symptoms
The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to other types of seasonal flu. The incubation period (the time between getting infected and symptoms appearing) can be up to seven days, but it’s most likely to be between two and five days. Most people recover within a week.
For more information, see What are the symptoms of swine flu (H1N1)?
If you’re concerned about flu symptoms, contact your GP for advice.
Swine flu and the seasonal flu vaccination
The H1N1 flu virus will be one of the main viruses circulating during the winter of 2010-11. The H1N1 flu virus is therefore included in the 2010-11 seasonal flu vaccine.
The seasonal flu vaccination is offered to people at risk of developing serious complications from flu. To stay protected, people in at-risk groups need to have the flu vaccination every year.
Previously, only pregnant women in at-risk groups were offered the seasonal flu vaccine. For 2010-11, the seasonal flu vaccination is recommended during pregnancy as follows:
- pregnant women in at-risk groups
- pregnant women not in at-risk groups unless they have previously been vaccinated against H1N1 flu
- As of December 2010 (the winter of 2010/11), all pregnant women who request the seasonal influenza vaccine should be offered it, irrespective of whether they have already received the H1N1 (monovalent) vaccine.
Stop flu spreading
The most important way to stop the flu virus spreading is to have good hygiene:
- use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in a bin as soon as possible
- wash your hands regularly with soap and water
- clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs
Preventing the spread of germs is the most effective way to slow the spread of diseases such as seasonal flu, including H1N1 flu.
What are the symptoms of swine flu (H1N1)?
The symptoms of swine flu (H1N1) are similar to other types of seasonal flu.
People with H1N1 flu typically have a fever or high temperature (over 38C or 100.4F). They may also have aching muscles, sore throat or a dry cough. Other symptoms can include:
- unusual tiredness
- headache
- runny nose
- shortness of breath
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or vomiting
For most people, H1N1 flu is a mild illness. However, some groups of people have a higher risk of serious illness or complications if they catch flu.
The A-Z has more information about the symptoms of H1N1 flu, including people in high-risk groups.
Why are pregnant women at higher risk of swine flu (H1N1) complications?
During pregnancy, the immune system is naturally suppressed. This means that:
- pregnant women are more likely to catch flu, and
- if they do catch it, they’re more likely to develop complications
However, the immune system is still working and the risk of complications is small.
Swine flu symptoms and complications
Most pregnant women will have only mild symptoms of H1N1 flu and recover within a week. However, there’s evidence from previous flu pandemics that pregnant women are more likely to develop complications.
These complications can include:
- pneumonia (an infection of the lungs)
- difficulty breathing
- dehydration
Complications such as these are more likely to happen during weeks 14-26 of pregnancy (second trimester) and weeks 27-birth (third trimester).
If a pregnant woman develops a complication of H1N1 flu, there’s a small chance that it will lead to early (premature) labour or miscarriage. It’s not yet known how likely these birth risks are.
It’s therefore important to be well prepared and to take precautions against H1N1 flu.
Preventing swine flu
If you’re pregnant, you can reduce your risk of infection by:
- avoiding unnecessary travel
- avoiding crowds where possible
For 2010-11, the seasonal flu vaccination is recommended during pregnancy as follows:
- pregnant women in at-risk groups
- pregnant women not in at-risk groups unless they have previously been vaccinated against H1N1 flu
- As of December 2010 (the winter of 2010/11), all pregnant women who request the seasonal influenza vaccine should be offered it, irrespective of whether they have already received the H1N1 (monovalent) vaccine.
Previously, only pregnant women in at-risk groups were offered the seasonal flu vaccine.
You should also:
- use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in a bin as soon as possible
- wash your hands regularly with soap and water
- clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs
The topic on H1N1 flu has more advice for pregnant women.
What should I do if I think I’ve got flu?
If you’re otherwise fit and healthy, you can manage symptoms of seasonal flu, including swine flu (H1N1), at home. Most people get better without treatment and will recover from flu within a week. However, if you’re concerned about your symptoms or they’re getting worse, contact your GP. They will decide the most appropriate action to take.
Some groups of people have a higher risk of serious illness or complications if they catch flu. See your GP if you’re in a high-risk group and have flu-like symptoms.
Caring for yourself at home
People who have flu-like symptoms but are otherwise fit and healthy should stay at home. Get plenty of rest and use standard paracetamol-based cold remedies to reduce your temperature and help relieve your symptoms.
Drink plenty of fluids while you recover. You may need to stay in bed for two or three days after your symptoms peak.
If you’re in a high-risk group, you should also follow your GP’s advice.
Antiviral medicines
Antiviral medicines are sometimes used to treat people with seasonal flu and H1N1 flu (swine flu).
If your GP thinks you have flu, they will decide whether you need treatment with antiviral medicines.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are not prescribed to treat flu as they have no effect on viruses.
However, you may be treated with antibiotics if you develop complications of flu. Antibiotics help to fight bacterial infections such as pneumonia. If you develop complications, your GP will decide if you need treatment with antibiotics.
The A-Z has more information about treating seasonal flu and treating H1N1 flu (swine flu).
Try to stop your germs spreading
Help to stop the flu virus spreading to other people by:
- using tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
- putting used tissues in a bin as soon as possible
- washing your hands regularly with soap and water
- cleaning surfaces regularly to get rid of germs
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