'All suspected sufferers need Tamiflu'
The mother of East Yorkshire's first swine flu victim has said all suspected sufferers should be given Tamiflu.
It follows news the region's doctors will no longer prescribe the anti-flu drug routinely, in line with national guidelines.
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Hull's first swine flu victim, Bethany Barwell , 11
Instead, it will be given mostly to at-risk groups – pregnant women, the under-fivess, the over-65s and those with medical conditions – while most others will be told to stay at home and treat themselves.
When swine flu first broke, most suspected cases were treated with Tamiflu in an attempt to stop the spread.
Now that it has become more widespread, the "containment phase" has been replaced with the "treatment phase".
This means it will be treated much like any other flu outbreak.
The mother of Bethany Barwell, 11, of west Hull, who caught the virus after returning from a family holiday in Mexico, believes this should not be the case.
Vicky Barwell, 40, said: "As the Government has such a large supply, I think everyone should be given Tamiflu.
"When Bethany was ill, we didn't worry too much because the whole family was given Tamiflu and the health authority were so good with us."
There have been suspected cases this week at Clifton Primary school, Kingswood College of Arts, and Hall Road Primary, all in north Hull, as well as Eastfield Primary and Collingwood Primary School in west Hull.
NHS Trusts and education authorities have insisted it is safe for schools to remain open, however, many parents have still taken their children out of school for the last week of term.
NHS Hull and NHS East Riding have said most of the cases in East Yorkshire have been very mild and similar to seasonal flu.
They urged people who have suspected swine flu not to visit the surgeries, but call the NHS Direct helpline on 0845 4647.
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by shirley, hull
Monday, July 20 2009, 5:50PM
“people who are told to stay in should stop being selfish and do what they have been told no wonder this swine flue is getting out of order when stupid people think they know it all and ignore advise they have been given , do what your told stupid people and stop spreading the flue around”
by Nadine, Hull, hull
Sunday, July 19 2009, 10:30AM
“I am concerned as to which people have a commkon old and which genuinely have swine flu. I typed in my few symptoms yesterday and if its not meningitis...it's swine flu for definite. How do they know without seeing patients. I have had sore tonsills but I am chronic with it. When I call my surgery with this will they let me in??”
by Ruthless, pigsty
Thursday, July 16 2009, 10:36PM
“Maybe this was man made? Maybe our lives our in the the goverments hands? Maybe Cherry aka cherie Bliar was targeted in press but not for real?”
by jay, west hull
Thursday, July 16 2009, 6:23PM
“after been tested with a swab in the nose and mouth i was diagnosed with swine flu,all our family was treated with tamiflu and i feel without it it could have put my all family at risk including my son who has medical problems.Its now a case of if you ring the docs for anything regarding aching or sickness then youve got swine flu what worries me is if people have something else wrong and not swineflu and u get left to stay in doors.”
by rachael, hull
Thursday, July 16 2009, 5:32PM
“i dont see wat all the fuss is about. chiltern primary school also has a confirmed case of swine flu i still sent my daughter to school and will do tomorrow. if there going to catch it then there going to catch it. as for the mum still taking her child to mexico probaly wasnt the best idea she had an i bet she now feels guilty but moanin an insultin her isnt going to change anything just makes the people sayin mean things about her sound childish. so hull has swine flu was goin to get it eventually why not sooner rather than later.”
by G, huddersfield
Thursday, July 16 2009, 3:18PM
“Im ANON from below from Huddersfield--- I am only 23 was told on Friday it was tonsellitus given penicillin then started feeling worse so went back in to doctors yesterday as I couldnt get through on phone and was told it was suspected swine flu they made me wear a mask.... It isn't bad though which is what I am suprised about... It feels like I have no energy and my chest absolutly kills and I have a soar throat but Im not coughing or snezzing and don't have a fever which is probably why I havn't passed it on (If i even have it) to my partner who I live with.... I have to stay indoors for 7 days now which but I wonder how many people that have the mild symtoms I have think s** this im not staying in a whole week especially as some work places dont pey sick pay if they have used a certain percent of time... I think if you have swine flu you should be given sick pay whatever your level of absence is as the main reason you have to stay indoors is to not give it to others....”
by Dr. Who, Harley Street
Thursday, July 16 2009, 2:56PM
“Tamiflu isn't all it's cracked up to be. Firstly, it only works if taken within the first 12 hours of contracting the virus, and secondly it only takes about 12 - 24 hours off the illness. However, the government had a stockpile of it already so can now say "look how good we are, having all this drug in stock"”
by Stu, Goole
Thursday, July 16 2009, 2:02PM
“A non starter of a story, this woman has got the Tamiflu anti-viral mixed up with the upcoming vacine.
Tamiflu is given to ALL suspected cases the vacine will be used on AT RISK people first.
HDM stop putting non stories on this page.”
by Nelly, Hull
Thursday, July 16 2009, 1:31PM
“Its seems that ....atishooo....atishoo......atishoo....atishoooo....atishooooo ....Oh s*d it im of to bed!...atishoooooo.”
by Alan, East Hull
Thursday, July 16 2009, 1:15PM
“I've also been told I have suspected Swine Flu. That was today, after showing signs of the symptoms listed on the NHS website and been in contact with my girlfriend who has been diagnosed with having the virus. I have been given Tamiflu and I'm 23, which doesn't put me amongst the ages listed. I'm more concerned with the fact that the NHS Symptoms Checker on their website advised me to dial 999 immediately. Luckily, I'm not so naive but I fear for those more vulnerably (The elderly etc) being forced into panic. What, with only a week ago people being advised not to call 999 for an ambulance unless it's a matter of life and death.”