National Online and Call Centre Assessment and Authorisation Service

This is web based and a dedicated call centre facility for members of the public to be assessed and have antivirals authorised. The Antiviral Collection Points in pharmacies across Wiltshire will be operational to issue the antivirals to flu friends.

Web address www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu

What are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of swine flu are broadly the same as those of ordinary flu, but may be more severe and cause more serious complications. The typical symptoms are:

• sudden fever (a high body temperature of over 38C or 100.4F), and
• 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

Most people who have contracted swine flu recover within a week and do not suffer complications, even without being given antiviral medication. The NHS website has an online symptom checker

High-risk groups

Some groups of people are more at risk of serious illness if they catch swine flu, and will need to start taking antiviral medication as soon as they are confirmed with the illness. Scientists are still learning more about the risk profile of the virus, but it is already known that the following people are particularly susceptible:

• people with:
  • chronic lung disease,
  • chronic heart disease,
  • chronic kidney disease,
  • chronic liver disease,
  • chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease),
  • immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment)
  • diabetes mellitus,
• patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years,
• pregnant women,
• people aged 65 years and older,
• young children under five years old.

It is vital that people in these higher-risk groups who catch swine flu get antivirals and start taking them as soon as possible.

Find Out More

Further information about Swine Flu can be found on the NHS website here.