The new National Pandemic Flu Service has now gone live.
A new self-care service which will give people who think they have pandemic swine flu symptoms, fast access to antiviral medication has been launched by Health Secretary Andy Burnham.
The National Pandemic Flu Service is a new website and phoneline 0800 1 513 100 or 0800 1 513 200 (Textphone) for people to check their symptoms and get a unique number which will give them access to antivirals if necessary.
People who have swine flu symptoms will be given a unique access number and told where their nearest antiviral collection point is. They should then ask a flu friend – a friend or relative who doesn’t have swine flu – to go and pick up their antivirals.
The flu friend must show their own ID as well as that of the patient. The authorisation number and ID information will be checked to ensure it matches the information provided when the assessment of symptoms was completed.
Anyone who suspects they have swine flu is advised not to go to their GP or A&E.
People should contact 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).
Andy Burnham said:
"People can still speak to their GP if they are concerned. In fact - it is important to stress that people with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, and parents with children under the age of one should speak to their GP if they have symptoms......For the vast majority of people, swine flu has been mild. Some people find that they get better by staying in bed, drinking plenty of water and taking over the counter flu medication.”
Doctors from the Royal College of General Practitioners will have a special liaison role with each of these Swine Flu call centres and will feed back problems or concerns that arise during the operation of the service.
As swine flu spreads, it is important to be able to recognise its symptoms.Swine Flu SymptomsPeople who have two of the following symptoms and a temperature of 38° C and above or feels hot may have swine flu.
The typical swine flu symptoms are:
sudden fever (a high body temperature of 38C/100.4F or above), 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.
July 2009
*People in Scotland who are worried about flu-like symptoms should continue to contact their GP or NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.
*In Wales, if symptoms are causing concern, or people are in an at risk group such as those with heart and lung disease, children under 5 or pregnant women, they should phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or phone their GP.
*People in Northern Ireland who are worried about flu-like symptoms should stay at home and continue to contact their GP or the Northern Ireland helpline on 0800 0514 142 which operates daily from 8am-8pm. | 
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