Health Information and Self Care Advice for Scotland

Swine Flu Questions and Answers

If you have been in close contact with someone who has confirmed or probable swine flu it is recommended you monitor your health closely for the next seven days.

There is no need for you to isolate yourself from other people as long as you remain well.

If you develop flu-like symptoms stay at home and phone your GP or NHS 24 on 0845 4 24 24 24.

We've grouped our questions to try to help you find the answer you are looking for.  

General

Swine flu and you

Swine flu - Medicines information

Pregnancy & children

Older people

Swine flu and other medical conditions

Swine flu vaccination

Swine flu vaccinations and pregnancy

General

• What is swine flu?  

   

• Is swine flu contagious? 

   

• What are the symptoms of swine flu?

   

• Which people are most vulnerable from swine flu?

   

• When are people most infectious?

• What's the difference between swine flu and other types of flu? 

   

• How quickly could swine flu spread? 

   

• Could people die from swine flu?  

   

• Is it possible to catch swine flu twice?  

   

• Is it still ok to eat bacon, pork, ham and gammon? 

   

• What have the Scottish Government done about swine flu? 

    

Swine flu and you

• What can I do to avoid getting swine flu? 

   

• Will my flu jab work against swine flu? 

   

• Is there a jab to protect me from swine flu? 

   

• Should I wear a mask to protect me from swine flu? 

   

• What should I do if I think I might have been exposed to swine flu?  

   

• How much contact should I have with family and friends? 

   

• When should I go back to school or work?  

    

Swine flu - Medicines information

• Can swine flu be treated? 

   

• What are antivirals? 

   

• Who will get antivirals? 

   

• If I take an antiviral and have side effects, who should I inform? 

   

• Can I take paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin with tamiflu? 

   

Pregnancy & children

• What should I do if my baby gets flu? 

   

• Am I at more risk of catching swine flu if I'm pregnant?   

   

• Can I take antiviral drugs if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?  

   

• Should I avoid unneccesary travel if I am pregnant? 

   

• Should I avoid crowded places if I am pregnant? 

   

• How can I tell if my child has swine flu? 

   

• Can children take antivirals? 

   

• Can babies under 1 take antivirals? 

   

Older people

• Are older people at more risk of catching swine flu? 

   

• Are older more at risk of complications if they catch swine flu? 

   

Swine flu and other medical conditions

• Will people with long term conditions get the swine flu jab? 

   

• Are people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) more at risk from swine flu? 

   

• Can I take antivirals if I have asthma or COPD?   

• Will the helpline answer my questions about the ordinary (seasonal) flu vaccine and vaccination programme?

   

• Is the vaccine safe? 

   

• Who will the vaccine be given to first?  

   

• How do I know if I am in a priority group, and how will I be notified that I need to get the swine flu vaccine?

   

• Who will be vaccinated after the phase one priority groups? 

   

• What about people who do not fall into the priority group? 

   

• How will vaccine safety be monitored?

   

• Will the vaccine give me swine flu?

   

• What are the possible adverse reactions to the vaccine?

   

• Why do I have to give my consent?

• My child is getting the swine flu vaccine, should I give them paracetamol or ibuprofen at the same time? 

Swine flu vaccinations and pregnancy

• Is the vaccine safe for pregnant women?  

   

• What are the benefits of having the vaccination if I am pregnant?  

   

• When is the best time in pregnancy to be vaccinated?

   

• Should I breastfeed if I have had the vaccine?