Swine flue

[Coldicote]

There's much publicity about the spread of swine flu but I feel more advice is needed about how to cope with it, especially for people living on their own. How long, on average, does an attack last? What provision should be made if they are alone - for instance drinks and/or food to have available at the bedside. Who could be expected to visit and check on them? It would be helpful to know how people on their own are coping with this problem. Thanks for your comments.

[CheekyChops]

Are u serious?

Surely the people expected to get drinks and food and visit / check on them would be the same as with any other illness, friends and or family. If you have none of these then you would probably have to struggle on alone.

Don't get me wrong, I am single and live alone so know where you are coming from but I would expect to have to fend for myself if I ever got struck down with some debilitating illness.

[Coldicote]

Thanks for your thoughts about this. Trouble is that swine flu has so much scary publicity and is spreading so quickly that probably many people will, in your words, have to fend for themselves. I was just wondering if anyone knows of a person in that situation and how they are managing. There are many who really are alone without family or relatives and quite likely people will be reluctant to visit them.

[Lborobrewer]

'Swine' flu lasts as long as any other flu about 1 to 2 weeks.


Contrary to an earlier answer, unlike our 'normal' seasonal flu, swine flu is LESS likely to affect people over the age of 50, and hence Help the Aged will not be able to help. It is younger people who have contracted the disease.


If you get the symptoms of the flu: aches, pains, sore throat, fatigue, headache with a temperature of 38 degrees or more then stay at home, contact your GP by phone but please, please DO NOT attend your local Emergency Department.

[Coldicote]

Thank you Lborobrewer. You have confirmed what I had imagined might be the case, but wasn't sure. I wonder if anyone who has had swine flu is immune from further attack. Maybe someone out there who has had the problem might see this and add something about how they coped. By the way, apols for the spelling mistake in the title - didn't notice until it was too late!