Swine flu. Register with a GP now. Prevent catching it / spreading it. Catch it use tissues to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze

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1 Swine flu It is important that you know what symptoms to look for if you are concerned you have swine flu, but also that you know what to do and who to contact. Although the virus is expected to peak during the autumn / winter period, the illness is a mild one for most people. Register with a GP now It is very important to register with a GP before you become unwell. One of the easiest options is to register with the University s doctors (Handsworth Wood Medical Practice) who provide services on a number of our sites. You can do this by attending a registration event (19 th / 20 th September in halls) or by asking to register at one of our medical rooms: City North, Murdoch Building; Edgbaston, Level Two Seacole Building; City Centre, Room 31 Gosta Green; or at HWMC in Church Lane, Handsworth Wood. Details of other local GPs that you can register with are available on our website, Prevent catching it / spreading it Good hygiene helps prevent the spread of the virus. Carry tissues around with you at all times and wash your hands frequently. Remember: Catch it use tissues to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze Bin it - put used tissues in a bin as soon as possible Kill it - wash your hands regularly with soap and water and clean hard surfaces regularly to get rid of germs

2 Have a basic medical kit, just in case In addition to the usual sticking plasters, stock up now with tissues you can carry around with you and some paracetamol or other usual cold and flu remedies. A digital thermometer may be useful too. You can get these from any pharmacy. Get some flu buddies Make sure you swap mobile phone numbers with at least two people who live near you. Talk about how you will be able to help each other if one of you becomes ill. What do flu buddies do? Flu buddies can help you get medicine (paracetamol) or pick up a Tamiflu (anti-viral) prescription on your behalf if you need it. They could pick up some food for you or make you a warm drink and generally just keep an eye on you when you are feeling unwell. If your flu buddy keeps their distance from you wherever possible and you both have good hygiene (sneezing into a tissue and washing your hands thoroughly), there is a good chance that they will not catch the infection. I have a disability and need some extra help if I get ill what should I do? Tell your GP, but also tell the Disability Support team now. Contact us on / disability@bcu.ac.uk. It is especially important that you have made your own emergency plans in case your carer becomes ill or if you feel you need any other type of support. I think I have swine flu what are the symptoms? The typical symptoms are: a sudden fever (a high body temperature of 38 C/100.4 F or above), and a sudden cough

3 Other symptoms may include: headache chills aching muscles limb or joint pain diarrhoea or stomach upset I m ill what do I do? tiredness If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu, stay at home and check your symptoms using the online National Pandemic Flu Service: If you do not have internet access the same service can be accessed on: Telephone: Textphone: Your symptoms can be checked and you will be given a prescription for an anti-viral drug if appropriate. You do not have to be registered with a GP or a UK resident to use this service. You can also arrange for your flu buddy to pick up the prescription for you, but you will need to give them some form of identification for you and they will need to take some for them too. More details are on the web site, but a driving licence, passport or NHS medical card are ideal. If you have another illness, you can go to the NHS Walk-in Centre at Boots the Chemist in the City Centre (High Street), or in an emergency only, call security for first aid assistance or an ambulance. Do I need to inform the university? sore throat runny nose sneezing loss of appetite Unless you are told differently, you should follow the normal procedures for reporting sickness absence. If you are unsure what these are, check with your Course Director

4 Shouldn t I go to my GP if I think I have swine flu? No, stay at home. However, do call your GP straightaway if: you have a serious existing illness that weakens your immune system, such as cancer you are pregnant you have a sick child under one your condition suddenly gets much worse your condition is still getting worse after seven days (five for a child) How can I look after myself? For most people, swine flu is a mild illness. Most people get better by staying in bed, drinking plenty of water and taking over-the-counter flu medication. Try to avoid unnecessary contact with others while you are infectious, which is usually until 5 days after your symptoms started (7 days in children). Once your symptoms have gone, you are no longer infectious. Keep one metre or more away from people s faces to avoid droplets from your throat affecting others. I think I may be in a high-risk group what should I do? 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 after symptoms start as possible. You can get further information from or your GP. I've lost my appetite. What should I do? Losing your appetite is a common symptom of flu and will usually return as you begin to feel better. Try to eat light, nutritious foods, such as soup, toast, baked beans, dhal or scrambled eggs (these are also easy to prepare). It may be easier for you to eat little and often.

5 Should I go out? The National Pandemic Flu Service is a new online service that gives you self-care advice and antiviral medication if you need it without going to your GP. If you feel up to it, you may want to get some fresh air. Do not go on public transport, stay in crowded places or visit your GP or hospital when you have swine flu symptoms, as you may infect other people with the virus. If you suddenly get much worse, seek medical advice immediately. When should I go back to lectures / classes or work? You can go back to university or work when you are feeling well and are no longer infectious, which is when you no longer have flu-like symptoms. The time it takes for symptoms to go is usually about five days (seven days in children). Avoid unnecessary contact with others and stay at home during the infectious period. Is it likely that the university will close during a pandemic? Plans are being made to minimise the effects of a pandemic on the university s activities and it is not thought likely that there will be any need for a total closure of the university. Nevertheless, it is possible that significant numbers of staff and students may be off sick at any one time so some classes and other activities may need to be cancelled. For up to date information on the effects of a pandemic please refer regularly to our dedicated web pages at:

6 How do I tell the difference between swine flu and meningitis? It can be very easy to mistake the early symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia for flu symptoms. There have already been a number of deaths from meningitis in people originally thought to have swine flu so it is important that you learn to recognise the early symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia particularly as the swine flu pandemic may lead to a rise in cases of meningitis this year as has happened following flu epidemics in the past. Symptoms can appear in any order but the first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell, just like in many mild illnesses. The 'red flag' symptoms often appear earlier than meningitis symptoms like neck stiffness and dislike of light, and before the more serious symptoms. The symptoms in bold indicate serious symptoms. Septicaemia Fever / vomiting Limb / joint / muscle pain Cold hands and feet / shivering Pale or mottled skin Breathing fast / breathless Rash (anywhere on the body) Very sleepy / vacant/ difficult to wake Confused / delirious

7 Meningitis Fever / vomiting Severe headache Stiff neck (less common in young children) Dislike of bright lights (less common in young children) Very sleepy / vacant/ difficult to wake Confused / delirious Rash (anywhere on the body) (not present in all cases) Seizures Not everyone gets all these symptoms Septicaemia can occur with or without meningitis How can I get further information about meningitis and septicaemia? For more information, the following two organisations have comprehensive websites and 24 hour helplines: The Meningitis Trust Meningitis Research Foundation

8 Here s how to ASK for further information If you have other questions about swine flu you can find more information at: or or contact Student Services: Telephone student.services@bcu.ac.uk Website For further information on what the university is doing in relation to swine flu go to: