How to avoid catching swine flu? Swine flu advice for families

With the swine flu pandemic continuing to affect increasing numbers of people across much of the UK, we have pulled together helpful advice and links to further sources of information for parents and families on what to look for and what to do if you suspect that you or your kids may have swine flu.

As the swine flu pandemic runs it course, advice from the government and medical authorities is under continuous review. As a result, we will be updating this page on a regular basis to reflect the latest advice and recommendations.

Last update : Wednesday 22nd July 2009

How to avoid catching swine flu?

Flu vaccines are generally effective against a small number of specific flu strains (the winter flu vaccine is therefore typically different every year).

As swine flu is relatively recent, having only been identified around March this year, there is as yet no vaccine against it. Manufacturers are making good progress however and it is hoped that the first vaccines specifically made to protect against swine flu may be available in the UK by the end of August. 

Without an effective vaccine, the best way to minimise the risk of contacting swine flu is to reduce your exposure and that of your family to the virus.

• Avoid close or prolonged contact with people who appear unwell or who have a fever and cough
• Good hygiene and general infection control practices are recommended to avoid the risk of transmission of swine flu and will also reduce the likelihood of you or your family being infected:
• cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing
• where possible, use a tissue and dispose of it immediately after use
• wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water to reduce the possibility of spreading the flu virus from your hands to your face, or to other people
• clean hard surfaces like door handles frequently using normal cleaning products

Face masks are not generally effective at protecting yourself from infection

Going to "swine flu parties" to try to expose yourself to the virus and make sure you build up immunity before the winter flu season is being strongly discouraged

As the number of people with swine flu is so small, it is not currently not necessary to avoid public spaces or places with large groups of people such as public transport, shops, restaurants, cinemas, sporting and social events etc.

People are most infectious soon after they develop symptoms, but they cease to be a risk once those symptoms have disappeared. The incubation period may be as little as two days

Please remember that despite the fact that the swine flu outbreak has been declared to be a pandemic, this flu virus is actually quite mild and for the vast majority of people who catch it, they will not suffer particularly bad symptoms and are likely to make a full and complete recovery within a week or two.

For groups who are particularly at risk, including pregnant women, you may wish to take extra precautions (see link below), but this is not essential.

For further information on the symptoms of swine flu, how people catch it, and advice on what to do if you think you may have caught swine flu, please follow the links below.

Further useful information and advice on swine flu:

Swine Flu - Background

 What are the symptoms of swine flu?

How do you catch swine flu?

What to do if I think I have swine flu or if one of my family may have it?

Advice about Swine Flu for pregnant women

Advice about Swine Flu for businesses and employers (link coming shortly)

Useful sources of further information on swine flu

Swine flu Q&A from the BBC news website

Swine flu advice from the NHS