Flu deaths increase further to 39

Twelve more people have died from confirmed flu in the past week, taking the death toll to 39, according to the latest UK figures.

Data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) shows 39 people have died with flu since October, including 36 with swine flu and three with another strain, flu type B.

All except one case were under 65 years of age and four were under the age of five.

The latest figures come after it was announced on Wednesday that cases of flu rose by more than 40% last week.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) reported that incidences of flu in England and Wales reached 124 per 100,000 of the population in the week ending December 26.

There were 86 per 100,000 cases in the previous week.

There has been a general increase across all age ranges apart from children, with the middle-aged being particularly badly hit.

Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the HPA, said: “We are seeing a large amount of flu circulating across the country and would urge those people in an at-risk group to have their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible as this is the best way to protect themselves from flu this winter.

“Anyone who has symptoms of flu-like illness should get medical advice as soon as possible and their GP will prescribe antivirals to reduce their symptoms and lessen the risk of them developing complications.

“Although there were reports of many people during the pandemic only experiencing mild disease we can’t stress enough that flu can be an extremely serious illness for people in ‘at risk’ groups, including pregnant women, the elderly and those with other underlying conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, lung, liver or renal diseases and those who have weakened immune systems.”

Swine flu symptoms? Stay away from A&E to avoid spreading it, NHS urges

SWINE flu sufferers are being urged to isolate themselves and avoid spreading the virus in doctors’ waiting rooms.

Health officials say 13 patients with confirmed swine flu have been treated at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill in Cottingham in the past two weeks.

Of these, three patients – all under the age of 50 – have died, including Natalie Hill, 17, of north Hull, as previously reported.

Now, NHS bodies are urging the public to play their part in defeating the virus.

Sue Lee, spokeswoman for NHS Hull, the city’s primary care trust, said: “We are desperately appealing for people with flu-like symptoms to stay away from A&E and even their GP surgeries, unless it is absolutely necessary.

“The last thing we want is people spreading this virus, through waiting rooms, to patients with other health conditions.

“So we are asking people to self-isolate and ring, if necessary, their GP surgeries, who will know about individuals’ medical histories, for advice.”

But Ms Lee said in most instances the first port of call should be local pharmacies.

In many cases, the virus can be “sweated out” through taking paracetamol and drinking plenty of water.

She said: “Yes, if you have swine flu you are going to feel awful. But if you are fit and healthy you will eventually sweat it out.”

Ms Lee said the city’s GP out-of-hours service had seen a 25 per cent increase in calls compared with last Christmas.

She said: “Now GP surgeries are open again after the four-day bank holiday period we are concerned people will call in and spread the virus. This will make the situation worse.”

Mail readers have posted messages on our website stating they have been experiencing problems obtaining Tamiflu.

Ms Lee said: “Unless you have underlying medical problems, for example heart disease or asthma, you won’t need Tamiflu.

“It is a common misconception that Tamiflu cures swine flu. It only lessens the symptoms.”

Ms Lee said it is important people do not panic.

“We were expecting this,” she said. “Last year there was the flu pandemic. “We know the flu virus mutates. This year the predominant strain of flu is H1N1 – swine flu. This year swine flu is seasonal flu.

“The symptoms of swine flu are the same as ‘normal’ flu. The medication is the same too.”

The hospital trust is also appealing for flu patients to stay away.

A spokesman said: “The A&E department is for emergencies only. “What we don’t want is a waiting room full of flu patients.

“Most people will be self-treating through buying medicine at pharmacies. If problems persist, they should contact their GP.”

Meanwhile, the region’s only natural birth facility, the Jubilee Birth Centre at Castle Hill in Cottingham, remains closed.

This is because staff have been re-deployed to Hull and East Yorkshire Women and Children’s Hospital at Hull Royal Infirmary.