HSE moves to swine flu 'treatment phase' as number of cases increase

With more than 150 confirmed cases of swine flu now in Ireland, the HSE has moved to the treatment phase of the influenza pandemic and anti-viral medicine will now be available in community pharmacies. However, the HSE has said that most cases of flu can recover at home without needing anti-viral medicines. "There have now been over 150 cases of influenza A(H1N1) confirmed in Ireland. Since April, the HSE's public health doctors have been managing cases as they arose while finalising plans to respond to a more severe evolution of what is now a flu pandemic. Given the numbers of cases now in Ireland and the fact that the flu is being passed from person to person within Ireland, we have now moved to the treatment phase of this pandemic. Similar moves have been taken in the USA, the UK and other EU member states," said the HSE in a statement. Anti-viral medicine, where it is prescribed by the GP, will now be available from community pharmacies nationwide, where it will be free of charge to patients on prescription. The HSE said it has seen in Ireland and internationally that most people who get this flu are able to recover at home without needing anti-viral treatment and that following the simple home care advice is sufficient for the majority of cases. Treatment with anti-viral medicines and lab testing will now be focused on people with severe symptoms and people in high risk groups - like people with chronic illness, people aged over 65 or under five and pregnant woman. The HSE said that if you are recovering from flu at home, or caring for someone with flu, the advice is to rest, take ibuprofen or paracetamol to reduce your symptoms, and make sure to take plenty of fluids. Most people will improve within three-four days and recover within a week. Watch out for symptoms that change, and if you are worried, contact your GP for advice. The HSE website and the Flu Information Line has details on what to look out for, and also lists the people who are considered at higher risk from flu. If you feel you have the flu, check the symptoms of flu on the HSE website at www.hse.ie or by calling the 24 hour Flu Information Line on Freephone 1800 94 11 00. If you have flu symptoms, contact your GP by telephone and don't go the surgery or to A&E in the first place. Your GP will decide if you need testing or treatment . Some people such as those in high risk groups or with severe symptoms will be given anti-viral medicine. The GP will advise patients when anti-virals are needed. The HSE is advising that there are some simple steps that be taken to stop flue from spreading such as, using a tissue to catch coughs or sneezes, binning the tissue straight away, and washing your hands well and often. The HSE has been planning for an influenza pandemic for several years, and has developed a stockpile of enough anti-viral medicine to treat over 50 per cent population if needed. However, the body says it is important to make sure this supply of anti-viral medicine is used wisely - so remember that you will only need anti-viral medicine if you have severe symptoms, or if your GP decides you are in the high-risk groups. The HSE has ended routine contact tracing for cases of flu and preventative anti-viral medicine will only be used in limited situations. GPs will now provide clinical diagnosis of Influenza A(H1N1) cases rather than awaiting laboratory test results. This new approach will also mean an end to the daily reported figures of laboratory confirmed cases from the HSE and Department of Health and Children. "We expect the first batches of pandemic vaccines to arrive in Ireland later this year. 7.7 million doses of vaccine have been ordered - enough for the population to have the required 2 doses each. The HSE is finalising detailed plans to deliver this vaccine to the population, with high risk groups and health workers among the first to be vaccinated," said a HSE spokesperson.