Swine flu vaccine available for certain high risk groups
Private swine flu treatment at samedaydoctor
The swine flu virus was declared a pandemic in June 2009, and the UK is still showing a worryingly high number of swine flu cases despite the development of swine flu treatments like Tamiflu.
At samedaydoctor we offer treatment for both swine and common flu.
The problems of treating Pandemic swine flu
What we call “common flu” is, in fact, just one of many strains of the influenza virus. Viruses can mutate into different strains, and the influenza virus is particularly adept at this. Swine flu is a potent and virulent strain of the influenza virus, with the official name of H1N1 influenza virus swine flu strain.
As swine flu symptoms are so similar to those of common flu, it is difficult to know which influenza strain people have succumbed to. However, swine flu symptoms are far more severe than common flu, and need specialised swine flu treatment via Tamiflu or zanamivir (an alternative drug that works in a similar way).
How samedaydoctor can help
Tamiflu is an expensive, but effective antiviral drug. When it was released it was prone to stockpiling by some clinics, leading to an acute shortage of the vaccine. This led to local health authorities refusing to issue it in areas where they perceived the risk to be low (or the cost too high).
Unfortunately, there were several tragic cases of people being refused the vaccine and dying as a result. Therefore many people are depending on private swine flu treatment at clinics such as ours, to protect themselves. We never refuse to help.
What are the swine flu symptoms?
To begin with, swine flu symptoms are similar to those of common flu: fever, sore throat, headache, night sweats, aching muscles, cough and runny nose. The headaches are more common than in common flu, and become worse as the disease progresses. Later on, the disease is characterised by vomiting, sickness and severe abdominal pain. It is at this point GPs generally agree the patient is suffering from genuine swine fever and not some other malady. However, by this time the disease may be too far advanced for swine flu treatment to be effective.
At samedaydoctor, we offer private swine flu treatment by prior arrangement only. Although people often mistake common flu for its deadlier cousin, we cannot afford to take the risk. Therefore, anyone showing swine flu symptoms should call us for a telephone consultation before coming to the surgery for swine flu treatment.
What private swine flu treatment does samedaydoctor offer?
Although not always necessary, positive diagnosis is made by taking swabs, with results coming back within 1-2 days. Early symptoms of the disease are treated by Tamiflu - the best known swine flu treatment on the market. However, we also offer a range of other drug treatments.
Private swine flu treatment is best done by prevention, rather than cure. We offer both common flu and Tamiflu injections, and strongly recommend people have both as soon as they become available.