Home › Topics › Infectious Diseases › Infections A-Z ›Swine Influenza [Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza]

Printer friendly page (opens in new window)

Swine Influenza [Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza]

Swine flu is a respiratory illness caused by a new strain of the flu A virus named 'Pandemic (H1N1) 2009' by the World Health Organization. Transmission is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. The infection can be effectively treated with antivirals. Most reported cases in the UK have been mild and people have recovered fully after treatment but the infection can be severe in a small minority of cases.

RSSlogo HPA swine influenza news feed

Key Messages

If you think you may have swine flu, contact NHS Direct, or phone your doctor:

Online: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Phone: 0845 46 47

You are advised to contact your doctor if you have serious underlying health conditions, are pregnant, or care for a child under one or children whose condition suddenly gets worse and those whose condition is still getting worse after 7 days (5 days for a child).

What's new

2 September 2010: Weekly epidemiological update
25 May 2010: Assessment of the HPA in the Containment phase of the 2009 pandemic (PDF, 578 KB)
25 May 2010: Pandemic flu conference
18 March 2010: Updates to the swine flu FAQ and before you go pages
26 February 2010: Weekly international summary
02 February 2010: Assessment of the impact of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza in sub-Saharan Africa (PDF, 401 KB)

Related Information

›› Pandemic Guidelines
›› Syndromic surveillance bulletins
›› Guidance for shipping for pandemic influenza (PDF, 74 KB)
›› Assessment of the HPA in the Containment phase of the 2009 pandemic (PDF, 578 KB)

External Links