Swine flu will affect every family within a fortnight

Catriona Loughran • Published 29 Oct 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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A Fermanagh doctor has predicted nearly all families in the county will be affected by swine flu within the next fortnight and is advising people to remain at home if they show any flu-like symptoms.

Dr. John Porteous of Lisnaskea Health Centre said it's "almost inevitable" family members in Fermanagh will have caught swine flu before the end of the year.

"Because it's spreading so fast and it's so easily picked up, it's almost inevitable that at least one member of a household or family will be struck down with the flu-bug within the next two weeks and this will continue to spread to other members to Christmas," he said.

As schools close their doors for half term break this week, some have noticed an increase in absenteeism with many children at home in bed with as Swine Flu sweeps through the county.One school in South Fermanagh has two confirmed cases of Swine Flu and a primary school in Enniskillen said it has a lot of young children off with sore throats.

Within the last week, Dr. Porteous said he has spoken several times with the virus laboratory in Belfast, where all the swabs are processed and confirmed there is currently only the H1N1 flu in Northern Ireland.

"There is no other milder flu here now. If you feel unwell with the symptoms, you probably have swine flu," he added.

The GP also reminded people, who are showing minor symptoms such as coughing and sneezing, to be more cautious of spreading infection.

"I think people who have minor complaints don't really understand that when they are coughing or sneezing they are the people most likely to spread infection and I would advise anyone especially young people who have a cough or a runny nose to carry tissues at all times and wash your hands regularly. I would also advise people who have had flu or are in the last stages of flu to remain in bed until you are fully-recovered so that this virus is kept at bay."

"The main symptoms to look out for are fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, shivers, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea so if anyone has any of these and they don't feel well, I would seriously urge them to stay at home in isolation and alert members of the family to practice good hygiene so that we can curtail this flu from spreading any further," said Dr Porteous.

His advice comes as hundreds of medical staff and workers received the first batch of swine flu vaccinations at the Erne Hospital on Monday.

Doctors and nurses at the Erne Hospital were among the first health and social care staff to be vaccinated against the H1N1 strain of swine flu this week with Consultant Geriatrician, Dr. Jim Kelly the first to be vaccinated there.

Vaccinations are being targeted to "at risk" groups first through injections at their local GP surgery, with pregnant women, who are among those at risk, receiving jabs at the Maternity wing of the Erne.

Due to the scale of the swine flu pandemic, Dr. Cyril Graham from Dr. Cathcart and Partners, Enniskillen said he is concerned about the limited supply of (Pandemrix) vaccines available.

"It's worrying that there is a limited supply of jabs available as almost everyone will be affected by swine flu at some stage but hopefully 'at risk' groups along with healthcare workers will all receive the vaccine and this will prevent the H1N1 virus from spreading further or causing fatalities."

He has noticed a rise in the amount of Swine flu clinically diagnosed cases at his practice. "The traditional seasonal flu which usually peaks in December and January is usually at a low level at this time of year but because of swine flu it has increased dramatically and has reached a peak and it's only October. We have prescribed a lot of anti-virals since the summer and workload has also significantly increased," he said.

Dr. Mike Smith of Maguiresbridge Surgery said he has seen a 45 per cent increase in the amount of contact he has had with patients since the summer.

"It's been very busy ever since the schools went back. We are taking a huge number of phone calls from parents and are advising them the best we can. We have received the first batch of swine flu vaccinations and are working hard to ensure the most 'at risk' patients, which includes some younger children, will receive the swine flu jab first and we have sent letters out from Monday," he said.

Last week, 2,500 children in over 20 special schools across Northern Ireland including children at Elmbrook and Erne Special Schools were offered the vaccine as a matter of urgency with the Health Minister announcing on Monday that he is extend the vaccination to some working staff at special schools.

But there are concerns about the side effects caused by the vaccine after a special needs boy from Carrickfergus was rushed to hospital shortly after receiving the jab last Friday.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 29 Oct 09

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