Swine Influenza

Important Information for Northumbria University Students

Swine Influenza – The Facts
As of today (28.4.09) confirmed incidents of Swine Influenza have been reported in Mexico, USA, Spain and Britain. In the USA, Spain and Britain they have all been mild cases of the influenza virus
Advice from the UK Government Health protection Agency is that for most people the illness is mild and is treatable with anti viral drugs.
Sensible precautions

Returning from a country affected by Swine Influenza
* You must monitor your health closely for 7 days after your visit to the affected area.
* You do not need to isolate yourself from other people if you are feeling well
* If within the 7 day period you develop a feverish illness accompanied by one or more of a cough, sore throat, headache and muscle aches you should contact your Doctor (by telephone) or NHS Direct (0845 4647). Advise them of your symptoms and the fact that you have returned from an affected area. They will then organise investigations/further treatment as required.
* It is very important that you avoid contact with other people as much as possible until the results of any tests are confirmed and then if Swine Influenza is diagnosed, until symptoms have disappeared following treatment.
* Follow government advice on travel outside of the UK – this can be found on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website https://owa.northumbria.ac.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/

Good Hygiene Practice – Stop the Spread of Infection
* Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
* Use a tissue when possible and dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
* Wash hands frequently in hot soapy water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people
* Clean hard surfaces in your residences regularly (e.g. door handles) using a normal cleaning product

Symptoms
* These are similar to those of normal seasonal flu and can include:
* Fever (temperature of above 38 degrees Celsius)
* Fatigue
* Lack of appetite
* Coughing and sore throat
* Diarrhoea and vomiting (though this is rare)

Treatment
This is available from your Doctor. The virus (H1N1) is sensitive to and can be treated with antiviral drugs of which there is a plentiful supply in the UK.

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Received above email from school. I have been being vegetarian since I'm back from holland. I will avoid eating Pig products from now.

Dun worry about me. Im fine here.

姐，跟大舅和大家说，我没事~ 不用担心~
这几天都是素食者~
我会注意自己的健康~
还有，最近我都不会出门，一直到6月头~