Swine Flu: How to treat the virus top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Swine flu first cropped up in 2009 as part of a vicious pandemic, where the virus spread through a host of countries and affected thousands. Although the virus no longer has much of the world in a vice grip, it still arises every year as part of the seasonal influenza outbreak. This means the respiratory disease - otherwise known as H1N1 - crops up alongside other Influenza A and B infections. Where has Swine Flu spread? Swine flu has now started to make rounds in the UK for 2019 and has raised warnings in both England and Ireland. January may be just one week in but health officials are already releasing warnings for Swine flu cases in the UK. While there are few in England, cases have been notably dangerous, especially where there is comorbidity (another disease). READ MORE: What are the symptoms of Swine Flu? Swine flu warning MAPPED: UK hit by swine flu outbreak - where has disease spread? One child fell ill on Christmas Day and is now in critical condition. Robert Brennan, a 14-year-old boy from Cheshire, is currently seriously ill in Liverpool’s Alder Hey hospital. He had tested positive for Swine flu after his health seriously declined on Christmas Day, to what experts suspected was a kidney infection. Investigations revealed he was also suffering from pneumonia and sepsis, both life threatening in their own right. READ MORE: SIX things you need to do to PREVENT Flu One boy is currently in critical condition at Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool Robert first contracted the common cold during a work placement at a nearby college, and caught the secondary virus at the same time. Swine Flu has also now crept over the border into Ireland, where health officials have picked up on the growing threat. Dr Kevin Kelleher, Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) assistant national director for public health, said four people have died from the illness this year and more cases could be on the way. Talking to the Irish Independent, he said: "There are two types when we talk about this virus - A and B. “This year we have the A strain, which has a particular predilection for some people under 65.” READ MORE: What is the difference between the flu and a cold? Swine Flu cases are likely to multiply a lot in the near future<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forhealth tips to live a long and happy life Flu season is now well underway in the UK - its annual appearance often spanning the months of December to February. Colder weather often means people stick to their homes and, as a result, can transmit infections between family members easily. A number of different strains often travel during the season and normally there is one reigning virus. This year, cases of the H1N1 (Swine flu) virus have accelerated and one person is already in critical condition. Swine flu symptoms: What are the symptoms of swine flu? Swine flu symptoms: How long does Swine Flu last? Is it contagious? The Swine flu strain A(H1N1)pdm09 is the current virus sweeping through Wales, making up the vast majority of cases. This resurgence means vaccinations are being handed out for people in danger of the flu’s effects. Among them are children, the youngest of which are being provided with nasal remedies. Public Health Wales has released some advice for those who may be at risk from the disease.<doc-sep>Swine Flu: How to treat the virus FREE health tips to live a long and happy life SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up forhealth tips to live a long and happy life When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Swine flu is among some of the more vicious strains of traditional influenza, which crops up each year in the winter months. The disease made rounds in 2009, when an outbreak in Mexico progressed into a full-blown pandemic. Up to 84 million people fell ill with the virus during a major outbreak a decade ago and it later faded into the background alongside other strains. Swine flu is still a nasty presence, however, as it causes symptoms which can feel more severe than other strains. What are the symptoms of swine flu? Swine flu is by nature just another strain of common Influenza A, which infects millions of people every year. Symptoms are almost exactly the same and most people will be left bedridden. In most cases they will clear up within a week, but there are rare cases when swine flu results in death. READ MORE: How long does swine flu last? Swine flu symptoms: What are the symptoms of swine flu? How is swine flu diagnosed? According to the NHS, the symptoms of swine flu are: - Fever - Dry cough - Sore throat - Headache - Fatigue (tiredness) - Diarrhoea - Vomiting READ MORE: Chinese NEw Year could spark DEADLY swine flu outbreak Swine flu diagnosis involves checking through the list of possible symptoms Swine flu can produce alarming symptoms in people who are also battling a chronic disease or other viruses. People who have other diseases are advised by the NHS to call into the 111 advice service, or book a GP appointment. Should the flu develop to a point where patients are coughing up blood or have sudden chest pain with trouble breathing, the NHS advises urgent medical care. One child has recently been diagnosed with both a cold and swine flu, which led to him being held in an intensive care ward at Liverpool’s Alder Hey hospital. READ MORE: Swine flu signs and symptoms EXPLAINED Swine flu diagnosis can also involve blood tests and a chest x-ray<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Flu is a deadly viral infection that’s very infectious and is easily spread to other people, said the NHS . It’s spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, and can live on various surfaces for an entire day. Seasonal flu is now well underway after the amount of people hospitalised with flu doubled over the past week. During the first week of the year, more than four hospital consultations out of every 100,000 were related to the flu virus, according to latest Public Health England (PHE) figures. Less than two consultations in every 100,000 were caused by flu in the previous week. Flu symptoms: The one symptom to tell if you have cold and flu Flu symptoms: Signs your cold is ACTUALLY a case of influenza Flu is now circulating in the community in England It’s crucial that everyone gets the flu jab to lower your risk of infection, said PHE. The most common strain of flu circulating is matched to this year’s flu jab, it added. “In the last week, the flu indicators we track have reached low levels, meaning flu is now circulating in the community in England,” said PHE Head of Flu, Richard Peabody. “We are currently seeing mainly A(H1N1)pdm09 circulating which is well matched to the strains in this year’s flu vaccines. “The best form of protection against flu is to get the vaccine if you are eligible and to practice good respiratory and hand hygiene. “It isn’t too late to get the flu vaccine so make sure you take up the offer if you’re eligible, to protect yourself and vulnerable people around you.”<doc-sep>
Swine Flu: Doctor's advice for those who may have it Flu season is now dawning in many countries around the World, with the harsh winter months traditionally encouraging virus circulation. There are a number of different flu strains which could make life difficult in the coming weeks, as cases of flu and other viral infections start to stack up. Influenza A strains commonly mark the season, with symptoms reported of high fevers, muscle aches and a nasty sore throat. Swine flu, a once uncontrollable disease, has been making rounds in the UK this year. Wales has been reporting some fresh cases of the some times deadly flu, and has even warned some people may be left in intensive care. Swine flu is a nasty subtype of Influenza A which cannot be prevented by traditional flu vaccinations. The virus is often described as “novel” because originally, it was animal borne in pigs and boars. In 2009, the highly contagious disease made rounds through the World as a pandemic and infected hundreds of thousands people after originating in Mexico. In humans, the virus feels much like the traditional seasonal influenza, but can often present with more intense symptoms. READ MORE: Chinese New Year could spark DEADLY Swine Flu outbreak Swine flu symptoms: How long does Swine Flu last? Is Swine Flu contagious? According to disease specialists at the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the USA, symptoms of Swine Flu are the following: - A fever or feeling feverish/chills - Cough - Sore throat - Runny or stuffy nose - Muscle or body aches - Headaches - Fatigue (feeling very tired) READ MORE: Swine Flu signs you MUST know Swine flu is a highly contagious disease How long does Swine Flu last? Recovery from Swine Flu is dependant on the health of the person who contracts the virus. Normally, the disease will last around a week in healthy people. If you suspect you have the disease and have another chronic illness, the NHS recommends visiting a GP, as they can cause complications which could be fatal. GP’s normally won’t recommend antibiotics for flu recovery as they do not alleviate symptoms or speed up recovery. READ MORE: Can you still get Swine Flu after the jab? Swine Flu will normally clear up in about a week for most healthy people