SWINE flu is so out of control there could be more than 100,000 new cases A DAY by the end of next month.

Health Minister Andy Burnham told the Commons yesterday that UK infections were already doubling every week.

He said overworked doctors will no longer test for the virus.

Instead, patients will be urged to stay at home and call NHS Direct for advice.

Those with the most serious symptoms and patients with dangerous underlying conditions, like respiratory illness, will be given Tamiflu. The anti-viral drug cuts the severity of the illness.

Patients will choose a "flu friend" who will be given a number so they can pick up drugs from a collection point. This should help prevent the spread of the virus.

Those with milder signs may be told to lower their temperature by taking paracetamol and fluids.

The Government has 60 million doses of vaccine, enough for half the country.

There are currently 7,447 cases and three people have died. They include six-year-old Sameerah Ahmad from Birmingham.

Six Scots were struck down with the illness this week after a lads' holiday in Ibiza. In an urgent Commons statement, Mr Burnham warned: "We could see over 100,000 cases per day by the end of August.

"We have reached the next step in our management of the disease.

"We are moving to a treatment phase.

"Primary care trusts will take the lead in diagnosing and distributing anti-virals. Those who show symptoms should stay at home and ring the NHS."

The policy shows the disease's spread cannot be contained. The worst-hit areas stopped testing patients for the virus last week.

Football matches and other public events will not be cancelled as the disease is already in the community. A Department of Health spokesman said: "Swine flu so far has been generally mild."

Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said that 2,000 people a day may need HOSPITAL TREATMENT by the autumn.

TWO members of Tory leader David Cameron's staff have swine flu symptoms, it emerged yesterday.

[forntida]

If the numbers keep doubling every week everybody in Britain will have it by the end of summer.

[lfc4life]

yep got too love the government

[forntida]

I think I have said this before but I'll say it again. The swine flu only affects people of working age and younger. Does that not tell the government something? Nearly everybody over 65 caught the Asian Flu in 1957. It would now appear that they are immune from this strain. Why not try the vaccination stocks from 1957?

[maxi1968]

yes i agree as the swine flu will mutate into something more nasty just like the spanish flu of 1918 ,as with the swine flu it was around during the summer then as winterb approached it became more virulent and hence more people fell victim.if the death toll hits anywhare near the total for the spanish flu then 1 in 10 people will die if not more.

[Mr Pumpy]

I reckon all the swine (pigs) will mutate in the next 6 months, i believe they'll all be able to walk and talk like the monkey's from planet of the apes.

Then the pigs will rise up and enslave mankind and make us live in tiny huts in muddy fields.

Remember where you heard it.


That is all.

[chroma]

Originally Posted by Mr Pumpy I reckon all the swine (pigs) will mutate in the next 6 months, i believe they'll all be able to walk and talk like the monkey's from planet of the apes. Then the pigs will rise up and enslave mankind and make us live in tiny huts in muddy fields. Remember where you heard it. That is all.

Cue "GET YOUR FILTHY STINKIN HOOF OFF ME YOU DIRTY SWINE!"

and "YOU BLEW IT UP DIDNT YOUS! NOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooOOO"

[maxi1968]

i used to like chewing a nice trottrer