Warrington swine flu latest (From This Is Cheshire)

Warrington swine flu latest

4:03pm Wednesday 8th July 2009

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SUSPECTED swine flu patients are no longer being swabbed for the virus, with GPs instead diagnosing people who meet a list of symptoms as having the flu.

The change means that there will no longer be any cases epidemiologically confirmed.

Rather, people who have symptoms of the illness can be given Tamiflu and treated as though they have swine flu.

The Health Protection Agency is also no longer issuing daily bulletins with the number of people confirmed as having the disease.

Instead, details on the amount of Tamiflu dosages given out will be available.

This is consistent with the change in focus from containing the virus to treating it.

But health bosses are quick to point out that this does not necessarily mean all those people had the virus.

It is difficult to diagnose over the telephone, which GPs are having to do.

Swine flu has proven to be a very mild illness, unless people have severe underlying health problems.

Headteachers and parents have been given medical information advising them on what to look out for.

“A small number of people, including school children, have been issued with antiviral medication as they have presented with some symptoms, however, there is no requirement for schools to close as those people have been advised to remain at home until they are no longer symptomatic,” and NHS Warrington spokesman said.

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