Information about the Swine Flu Pandemic

Swine Flu is a virus which affects the lungs and respiratory system. It is very infectious and affects people of all ages.  In most cases the main symptoms are mild; e.g. fever, cough, shortness of breath.  But other symptoms can include headache, chills, aching muscles, sore throat, sneezing, and loss of appetite.

The current swine flu alert increases the importance of following the national guidelines for preventing the spread of the flu virus.

There's a simple way to remember this: "CATCH IT. BIN IT. KILL IT"

To reduce the risk of catching or spreading the virus you should: 

• always carry tissues with you
• use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
• throw the tissue away immediately and carefully in the bins provided
• wash your hands as soon as possible, but also regularly with soap and water, to kill the germs
  

If you think you may have swine flu, you should first go online and check your symptoms on www.nhs.uk, or call the Swine Flu information line on 0800 1 513 513.  If you are still concerned, you should call your doctor, who can provide a diagnosis over the phone.

If you do contract the virus, then follow your doctor’s instructions and stay at home.  Please ring the College on (023) 80 874 874 to let us know you will not be attending and why.

For your information, the College has a set of guidelines and a system in place for managing any emergency/major incident, including the swine flu pandemic. The latest information about any incident will always be on this website.

The College is keeping in weekly contact with the external agencies about the national situation and will provide information to staff and students on a weekly basis, as necessary.  We are also looking at ways in which we as a community can prevent the spread of infection generally throughout our sites.  Tissues and hand gel will be provided in all classrooms and offices, and hard surfaces (like door handles and keyboards) will be cleaned throughout the college premises frequently.

Here are some links to useful websites about swine flu;

• www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htm
• www.direct.gov.uk/en/Swineflu/DG_177831
• www.nhs.uk/AlertsEmergencies/Pages/Pandemicflualert.aspx
  

If you have any concerns and would like to talk to someone about swine flu or general infection control, then please contact Jane Holt, Health & Safety Officer, on 07795 151480 / room 158 at the main campus / jholt@totton.ac.uk or you can call the swine flu information line 0800 1 513 513.

Please share this information with your family and friends.

Monday 7th September 2009