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The following advice applies to all University of Plymouth students and members of staff:
"Catch it! Bin it! Kill it!"
The University of Plymouth is following government advice and working with partners to ensure we are fully prepared for dealing with an outbreak of swine flu (suspected or confirmed).
The University has distributed information and advice to staff and students and is publishing up to date information and guidance on its website which is accessible to staff, students and their families. Health advice posters and hand gel dispensers have also been placed around the campus.
There are simple steps that everyone can take to help prevent catching colds and flu based on good respiratory and hand hygiene. Always use a tissue to catch your sneezes, hygienically dispose of used tissues (flush down lavatory or place in covered dustbin), and regularly wash your hands.
Most importantly, if you have flu-like symptoms, stay at your place of residence and contact the National Pandemic Flu Service. This is a dedicated website (www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu) and phoneline (0800 1 513 100 or Textphone 0800 1 513 200) for people to check their symptoms and get a unique number which will give them access to antivirals if necessary.
Swine flu vaccination update: the government has recently confirmed that vaccination against swine flu (H1N1 virus) for people in 'at risk' groups will begin in the autumn. 'At risk' groups include pregnant women, frontline healthcare workers and those with serious underlying health conditions. For further details about vaccination and 'at risk' groups visit http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/QA.aspx#mostvulnerable.
There are currently no plans to vaccinate whole university communities. We encourage all staff and students to ensure they are registered with a local GP; this will mean you will be contacted once the vaccination programme begins if you fall within an 'at risk' category.
If you are concerned and would like further guidance, there is useful information and advice in both our 'frequently asked questions' and 'useful links on other websites' sections. This web page will be updated if there are any further developments.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is swine flu?
Swine flu (or influenza A H1N1) is a disease found in pigs. Government advice says the virus currently transmitting directly among people is being called 'swine flu' even though the origin of the disease is still being investigated. It is a new virus which has not circulated among humans before and is highly contagious.
2. What is a pandemic?
An epidemic is a sudden outbreak of disease which quickly spreads through a single population or region. A pandemic is an epidemic of infectious disease across a wide region of the world. According to the Department of Health, the World Health Organization has declared Phase 6 of its pandemic alert system, which means that swine flu is now spreading in communities in several countries. This decision reflects the geographic spread of the virus.
3. How do humans get swine flu?
The virus is highly contagious and can be spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing in the same way as ordinary colds and flu. It is spread through the droplets that come out of the nose or mouth when someone coughs or sneezes - if they do not cover it, these droplets can spread. The virus can also be easily transferred to surfaces that the person touches, infecting others if they also touch them.
4. What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Symptoms are similar to those of regular, seasonal flu but may be more severe. They can include fever, cough, headache, sore throat, runny nose, aching muscles and joints, weakness and fatigue. It can take between three and four days after exposure or infection for symptoms to appear.
5. How can I avoid catching swine flu?
Potentially everyone is at risk from swine flu because few people have immunity. You can help to reduce your chances of catching swine flu by maintaining good basic hygience. The 'Catch it, Bin it, Kill it' campaign aims to raise awareness and encourage the public to practise correct respiratory and hand hygiene when coughing and sneezing - these will help to slow the spread of the virus and will be the single most effective thing can do to protect yourself and others from infection. A Department of Health swine flu information leaflet was delivered to homes nationwide, and a PDF version can be downloaded from the Government's website.
6. What should I do if I think I have swine flu?
If you think you may have swine flu you should stay at home and rest; drink plenty of fluids, dispose of dirty tissues quickly, wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, and restrict your contact with other people. You can call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 to hear the latest advice or use the National Pandemic Flu Service's online symptom and treatment assessment tool. If you are still worried, call your GP or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. Do not go into your surgery in case you spread the disease to others.
7. How can swine flu be treated?
There is not currently a vaccine for swine flu, however the antiviral medicines Tamiflu and Relenza can be used to treat it at an early stage, relieving some of the symptoms and reducing the amount of time you are ill. These drugs may also make it less likely that infected people will pass the virus on to others.
8. What steps is the University of Plymouth taking to cope with an outbreak of swine flu?
The University has distributed information and advice to staff and students and is publishing up to date information and guidance on this prominent section of its website which is accessible to staff, students and their families. Health advice posters and hand gel dispensers have also been distributed around the campus.
9. Where can I obtain further information?
Further information can be found in the guidance on external websites which are linked to from this web page. There is also further information for staff on our intranet (please note you will need to log in to access this). |
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Video:
Swine flu: your questions answered - NHS Plymouth swine flu advice video
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