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.
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.
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