Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.2523214.0.4000_scots_hit_by_swine_flu_in_week.php
4000 Scots hit by swine flu in week
MORE than 4000 people have contracted swine flu in the past week in Scotland.
The rate of GP consultations for flu-like symptoms has increased slightly over the past week from 47 to 55 per 100,000 population.
And 10.6% of community samples tested positive for swine flu - just above the figure of 10% last week.
The figures came as it emerged a Scots schoolgirl is fighting for her life in Greece after contracting the disease.
Natasha Newman, 16, who attends Gordonstoun near Elgin, Morayshire, was taken to hospital in Athens after falling ill during a holiday on the island of Kefalonia with her sister and parents.
Natasha's condition is critical but stable.
Her father is London-based textiles merchant Julian Newman.
Another Scots swine flu sufferer is also critical but stable in a Swedish hospital. Sharon Pentleton, 27, from Saltcoats, Ayrshire, is six months' pregnant with her second child.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "As would be expected, we are seeing rises in GP consultations for flu symptoms in some parts of Scotland - Grampian and Tayside in particular - while in other areas significantly fewer people are seeing their GP.
"Over coming weeks we will be increasing the number of spotter practices, which will give us an even clearer picture of how the virus is behaving in Scotland."
Health chiefs said latest consultation rates indicate around 1500 people have consulted their GP with H1N1 flu in Scotland over the past week.
But taking account of the number of people having the virus, but not consulting their GP, Health Protection Scotland estimates around 4300 people have contracted it in the past week.
Since the start of the outbreak, four people with swine flu have died in Scotland and 65 have received hospital treatment - up 10 from last week.
Around 2300 people a day are calling the flu response service and NHS 24 to report flu-like symptoms.
REVEALED: Expert tips on how to cut risk
What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1. The virus has made the jump from pigs to humans and is now passing easily from person to person. Swine flu is transmitted in the same way as other types of flu, through coughing, sneezing and touching contaminated surfaces.
What does a pandemic mean?
A disease is classed as a pandemic when it becomes a worldwide epidemic. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this means the virus is spreading in the community in two or more counties in one region of the world, and at least one country in another region of the world. A pandemic signifies phase 6 - the highest level of threat.
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Around 140 people have died so far from swine flu but the illness is mostly causing mild symptoms at present. Some health experts believe the virus could mutate and become more deadly as the UK moves into winter. Symptoms of swine flu include fever and flu-like symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, limb or joint aches and pains, and headaches. Some people have reported suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea.
What steps can I take to prevent catching swine flu?
People can reduce their risk and help slow the spread of the virus. People should wash their hands regularly and catch coughs and sneezes in tissues which should then be promptly thrown away. The flu virus can linger on all types of surfaces for up to 24 hours and is easily transferred via the fingers to the mouth, nose or eyes.
Which groups of people are most at risk from swine flu?
Seasonal winter flu usually strikes the elderly and very young but current indications are that swine flu is targeting people of working age. The suggestion is that older people may have some immunity to this type of flu from when they were younger. Groups at risk of complications include people on immunosuppressants, those with asthma or a chest disease and diabetics.
What treatments are there?
Flu viruses have the ability to mutate, which makes it difficult to predict what will happen. However, testing has shown that H1N1 can be treated with the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, which comes in the form of an inhaler. These drugs are not a "cure" for swine flu but can help reduce symptoms and cut the length of time somebody is ill. The UK has enough Tamiflu to cover half of the population but orders are in place for 50million doses enough to cover 80% of the population. Pharmaceutical companies are working on a swine flu vaccine which will not be available until the end of the year.
Publication date 31/07/09
4000 Scots hit by swine flu in week
MORE than 4000 people have contracted swine flu in the past week in Scotland.
The rate of GP consultations for flu-like symptoms has increased slightly over the past week from 47 to 55 per 100,000 population.
And 10.6% of community samples tested positive for swine flu - just above the figure of 10% last week.
The figures came as it emerged a Scots schoolgirl is fighting for her life in Greece after contracting the disease.
Natasha Newman, 16, who attends Gordonstoun near Elgin, Morayshire, was taken to hospital in Athens after falling ill during a holiday on the island of Kefalonia with her sister and parents.
Natasha's condition is critical but stable.
Her father is London-based textiles merchant Julian Newman.
Another Scots swine flu sufferer is also critical but stable in a Swedish hospital. Sharon Pentleton, 27, from Saltcoats, Ayrshire, is six months' pregnant with her second child.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "As would be expected, we are seeing rises in GP consultations for flu symptoms in some parts of Scotland - Grampian and Tayside in particular - while in other areas significantly fewer people are seeing their GP.
"Over coming weeks we will be increasing the number of spotter practices, which will give us an even clearer picture of how the virus is behaving in Scotland."
Health chiefs said latest consultation rates indicate around 1500 people have consulted their GP with H1N1 flu in Scotland over the past week.
But taking account of the number of people having the virus, but not consulting their GP, Health Protection Scotland estimates around 4300 people have contracted it in the past week.
Since the start of the outbreak, four people with swine flu have died in Scotland and 65 have received hospital treatment - up 10 from last week.
Around 2300 people a day are calling the flu response service and NHS 24 to report flu-like symptoms.
REVEALED: Expert tips on how to cut risk
What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1. The virus has made the jump from pigs to humans and is now passing easily from person to person. Swine flu is transmitted in the same way as other types of flu, through coughing, sneezing and touching contaminated surfaces.
What does a pandemic mean?
A disease is classed as a pandemic when it becomes a worldwide epidemic. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this means the virus is spreading in the community in two or more counties in one region of the world, and at least one country in another region of the world. A pandemic signifies phase 6 - the highest level of threat.
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Around 140 people have died so far from swine flu but the illness is mostly causing mild symptoms at present. Some health experts believe the virus could mutate and become more deadly as the UK moves into winter. Symptoms of swine flu include fever and flu-like symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, limb or joint aches and pains, and headaches. Some people have reported suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea.
What steps can I take to prevent catching swine flu?
People can reduce their risk and help slow the spread of the virus. People should wash their hands regularly and catch coughs and sneezes in tissues which should then be promptly thrown away. The flu virus can linger on all types of surfaces for up to 24 hours and is easily transferred via the fingers to the mouth, nose or eyes.
Which groups of people are most at risk from swine flu?
Seasonal winter flu usually strikes the elderly and very young but current indications are that swine flu is targeting people of working age. The suggestion is that older people may have some immunity to this type of flu from when they were younger. Groups at risk of complications include people on immunosuppressants, those with asthma or a chest disease and diabetics.
What treatments are there?
Flu viruses have the ability to mutate, which makes it difficult to predict what will happen. However, testing has shown that H1N1 can be treated with the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, which comes in the form of an inhaler. These drugs are not a "cure" for swine flu but can help reduce symptoms and cut the length of time somebody is ill. The UK has enough Tamiflu to cover half of the population but orders are in place for 50million doses enough to cover 80% of the population. Pharmaceutical companies are working on a swine flu vaccine which will not be available until the end of the year.
Publication date 31/07/09