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Swine Flu Factsheet for Service Users

How is Swine Flu spread?
It is a respiratory disease meaning it is spread through coughs and sneezes as others may breathe in the droplets or touch contaminated surfaces. Droplets can reach up to 3 metres. The virus can last 24 hours on hard surfaces and 20 minutes on soft surfaces.

What are the symptoms?
Sudden onset of fever, cough or shortness of breath, headache, sore throat, tiredness, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhoea, aches and pains, runny nose or loss of appetite.

How long are people infectious?
It is estimated that the incubation period could be up to seven days, although most typically it takes two to five days for symptoms to start. People ARE NOT infectious until they begin displaying symptoms and shedding the virus through coughs and sneezes. Once someone displays symptoms they are infectious for around five days. Once symptoms have gone completely the person is no longer infectious and can return to work.

What happens if a lot of care workers go off sick? Will I still get care?
We have made detailed action plans incase large numbers of our care staff go off sick with Swine Flu.
We are constantly updating our Business Continuity Plan weekly to make sure we are as prepared as possible for large numbers of staff sickness.
We have four Field Care Supervisors and five Managers who are CRB checked and have care experience who can go provide care in emergencies and three people who can run the office and answer the telephones.
Each Service User is given a priority category level by Social Services or Carewatch Bath so that if in emergency we ensure we deliver care to the most vulnerable first.
We would really appreciate you preparing any family/friends incase they are asked to help out if we do suddenly find ourselves with a significant number of care workers off sick.
Of course we will keep you informed every day if there are going to be any changes with your care times etc.

Will I get the same level of care and the same care worker if a lot of care workers suddenly go off sick?
As mentioned above, each Service User has a priority level and we will do everything we can to visit all Service Users at all priority levels but if we are faced with a significant reduction in staff we will have to visit the most vulnerable first and this care might be more basic than usual. We can assure you though that you will be contacted and be informed at all times if you are going to experience any changes at all with the actual care, care times etc.
This will be similar to how we managed during the snow earlier in the year.

What should someone displaying symptoms do?
For anyone feeling unwell with symptoms of Swine Flu, they should remain at home and they should contact the GP or NHS direct for diagnosis over the phone, rather than going to the GP or Hospital and spreading the disease.
Anyone unsure about symptoms can also use the special 'flu symptom checker' at NHS Direct www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
The emphasis is on treatment and recovery at home and following good hygiene practice at home "CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT".
So far in the UK most cases have been mild, and the virus is one that normally leads to complete recovery within a week or so for most people.

How does an ill person get access to antivirals?
At present anyone displaying the symptoms should contact their GP.
If antivirals are required, a persons GP will give them a voucher reference number over the phone with details of where to collect them. A healthy friend/relative/care worker can then use this to pick up antivirals from the persons local collection centre.

Are people immune once they've had it?
Those who recover from a 'flu virus' should have immunity to catching the same virus again. This should be the case with Swine Flu. However, bear in mind the Swine Flu virus may mutate so people may not have immunity to 'new versions' in the future.

What can everyone do to prepare for an outbreak?
Everyone is being encouraged to confirm a network of 'flu friends'-friends and relatives who can help collect medicines and other supplies.
It is advisable to have a stock of food and other supplies, such as paracetamol, available at home that will last for two weeks.
Why not ask your relatives/friends/care workers to get you a little extra food just in case??

Will facemasks be issued to the general public?
There is scientific evidence that facemasks do not protect the general public from becoming infected and a decision has been taken across the UK not to issue facemasks for general use.
BANES Social Services are looking into getting specialist facemasks for care staff.

When will a vaccine be available? Will care staff be prioritised?
There is no vaccine available for use in the general population yet although progress is being made on developing one. It will provide immunity to the current virus. The first batch of the vaccine is expected to be available by autumn, with 60 million doses of the swine flu vaccine expected to be available by the end of the year.
The Government has ordered enough vaccine for the whole population but to reduce the impact of swine flu those at greatest risk will be given priority.
The expectation is that the priority list should include frontline social care staff as well as healthcare staff.

What happens if staff have been exposed to infected individuals?
If, for example a care worker has a child or other close contact who has swine flu in their household, the official Health Protection Agency guidance at present is that as long as they do not have flu-like symptoms and are feeling well then people should go about their normal business.

What happens if I get Swine Flu? Will I still receive care?
Service users can continue to receive care at home, provided staff undertake recommended infection control procedures and have personal protective equipment necessary for care which is taking place within close proximity (advice is 1 metre) of an individual.
It has been advised that if a Service User does get Swine Flu, guidance suggests that we match that Service User to a care worker who has already had it, as there will be minimal chance for the care worker getting it again.

Advice!!!
When coughing and sneezing, follow rules of good hygiene, by carrying tissues, covering your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze, bin the tissues after one use and wash your hands with soap and hot water or a sanitizer gel often.

Useful Telephone Numbers.
Swine Flu recorded information line 0800 1513 513
Swine Flu leaflets www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/Swineflu/DH_098802
NHS Direct England 0845 46 47
The Department of Health (DH) 020 7210 4850

(This guidance is extracted from the UKHCA Guidance Document- Pandemic Influenza Guidance for Homecare Providers. For the full document and updates please go to www.ukhca.co.uk/flu)