Swine flu is treated in a similar way to ordinary flu. Antiviral and antibiotic medications are also available if further treatment is needed or complications develop.
As with ordinary flu, people who have swine flu should get lots of rest and use standard paracetamol-based cold remedies to reduce their temperature and help relieve symptoms.
Some over-the-counter treatments used by adults can be given to children for the relief of the symptoms. Follow the instructions that come with each medicine.
However, children under 16 must not be given aspirin or ready-made flu remedies containing aspirin. Always read the label or check with the pharmacist that a medicine is suitable for children.
Antivirals
The antiviral medications oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) may be used to treat some people with swine flu. Your GP will decide if these are necessary.
Antivirals are not a cure for swine flu, but will help:
- reduce the length of time you are ill by around one day
- relieve some of the symptoms
- reduce the potential for serious complications such as pneumonia
Tamiflu and Relenza are both medicines of the same type, but Relenza comes as an inhaler (rather than a pill) and is recommended for use in pregnancy.
If you are prescribed antivirals, you will need to pay a prescription charge (unless your prescriptions are normally free of charge).
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to treat swine flu patients who develop complications. They help combat bacterial infections such as pneumonia.
In hospitals, antibiotics will be used to treat the most ill patients and may reduce the length of hospitalisation.