Swine flu - Tells me to call 999

[efq]

Ok, well a week ago (in Portugal) I had started feeling unwell. It was just a bit nausia so I just stayed in that day. But later on my body was aching, I had a headache, temperature, blocked nose etc. I just took some disolving big paracetamol tablets 2, 4 times a day and it didn't help that day nor the next but the 3rd day after I felt better. I didn't go to the doctors there cause theres is no free healthcare and I wasn't up to paying them so I waited until I got back in England (Friday) and from there is when I contacted them.

I was probably stupid because if I do have it, I have spread it on a plane.

So this being 2 days ago I was better (altho still a sore throat, blocked nose etc) and now i have a temperature and a headache again. I just called my local hospital (not the big one, a little local one) and they said go here and do the symptom checker and follow from that. I did it and it came up with in big bold red writing...

Call 999


Your answers suggest you need to dial 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
You need to tell the ambulance operator that you have recently travelled to (or live in) an area of high swine flu risk or that you have been in contact with someone with the illness.

Now I am like a shivering but I think its after its told me to do that... but I don't think its that serious. I will check back later because the light of the laptop isn't helping the headache. Hopefully sensible people can reply with appropriate answers.


EDIT: This http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/SAT/Mini...neFluFPP1.aspx

[Jordan:A]

Dont they say to stay in to stop it spredding?
First they say one thing, then another.
And its better if you get it then your immune system can try to fight it

[BeanEgg]

You have the symptoms, you went to a place where you could of contracted it.

You also have a fever, this suggests you do have the flu, but which one?

So, I wouldn't dial 999 unless you were urgently ill, vomiting and unable to do things.

I'd just go to A&E, they would deal with it from there.

[efq]

No because I made the mistake of going in my GP when I was called in the room with a doctor and explained i felt these symtoms I got a massive bollocking and was told to go home and call the local hospital or NHS direct.

[BeanEgg]

No because I made the mistake of going in my GP when I was called in the room with a doctor and explained i felt these symtoms I got a massive bollocking and was told to go home and call the local hospital or NHS direct.

Dial 999 when it gets serious, and tell the operator its a suspected swine flu case, then they'll come prepared.

It would be common sense to not go to your GP, it is infectious. So do phone the ambulance.

[Plank]

Phone NHS Direct again, and see what they say. The answer will probably be just to ride it out unless you are in the high risk category:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemi.../Symptoms.aspx

• people with:
  - chronic lung disease,
  - chronic heart disease,
  - chronic kidney disease,
  - chronic liver disease,
  - chronic neurological disease,
  - immunosuppression (whether caused by
  disease or treatment) and
  - diabetes mellitus,
• patients who have had drug treatment for
  asthma within the past three years,
• pregnant women,
• people aged 65 years and older, and
• young children under five years old.

[Muppet]

Don't dial 999. Ring your GP, stay at home to avoid spreading the disease. Well that's what my mum said. But what does she know, she's a G-grade nurse

omg 500th post

[efq]

They told me to continue taking the medication if it had worked a few days before. They said stay inside do not go anywhere and try and keep as distant away from people.

If I feel like this after 24-48 hours then to call them again and they will send a local doctor to me. They will take a swab and if I am confirmed then they told me to ask a family or friend to get the vaccination for me. Keep a good hygiene. Only if its urgent that I need to be in close contact with the person then to make sure I keep a note of the person.

They would also like the receipt of the plane ticket. (Don't know why)

[Plank]

Get the vaccination? Do you mean anti-virals (Tamiflu)? You can't be vaccinated against it when you already have it.

The only thing you can do is follow their advice. & I swear you said you had swine flu once before on here :S

Just out of interest, what symptoms did you have to result in the '999' option on the quiz thing?

[efq]

Get the vaccination? Do you mean anti-virals (Tamiflu)? You can't be vaccinated against it when you already have it.

The only thing you can do is follow their advice. & I swear you said you had swine flu once before on here :S

Just out of interest, what symptoms did you have to result in the '999' option on the quiz thing?

• I have a headache so bad that I can't do anything
• I find looking at bright light painful
• I am unusually drowsy or confused

And I have never had it before or claimed so.