The U.K. was one of the first countries to be hit with the H1N1 virus last year, and latest reports indicate it may be happening again. Commonly known as Swine flu, the virus can attack anyone, and in the majority of cases it is not a serious disease. Symptoms vary, but include running a temperature of over 38C/100.4F and/or runny nose, sore throat, excessive tiredness and loss of appetite, headache and body aches, amongst others.
Usually H1N1 runs its course in five to ten days with no lasting ill effects, and with no need for medical attention.
However, it has been confirmed that ten people in the U.K. have died after contracting the disease in the past few weeks. Most of those were people with other underlying health problems, but in at least two cases H1N1 was the only apparent cause. England’s Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said that the number of severe cases already reported is higher than expected.
Health authorities are urging everyone who is in the ‘high risk’ category to get a vaccination if they have not already done so. From previous experience, officials are including a number of conditions as high risk, where the patient is more likely to suffer serious illness and even death from the virus. These include the elderly (over 65) and those with chronic lung, heart, liver or kidney disease. They also include pregnant women, diabetics and those with neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, or low resistance to infections due to immunosuppression.
At this point, authorities and health professionals have suggested that there is no reason to expect another pandemic. They do strongly suggest taking the vaccine, especially for those at greater risk from the virus. They also recommend common sense behaviour; if you have a cold or flu, don’t spread it around. Stay home, and see your doctor if symptoms persist or get worse.
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