University of Sheffield in emergency swine flu research
Published Date: 25 August 2009
RESEARCHERS at The University of Sheffield are carrying out an urgent swine flu project for the Government - to help predict which patients are likely to need hospital treatment.
Although swine flu has so far been a mild illness which most people overcome in a few days at home, some experts are concerned the virus could become stronger during a second wave in the autumn or winter, when it is thought hundreds of thousands of people could fall ill.
The Government has asked Professor Steve Goodacre, from Sheffield University's School of Health and Related Research, to lead a study which will look at whether measuring patient's symptoms can predict reliably whether they have a serious disease and if they need hospital treatment.
The Department of Health-funded research will involve patients attending the Northern General Hospital and the Sheffield's Children's Hospital with suspected swine flu.
Prof Goodacre said: "In a serious flu outbreak we will need to quickly and accurately identify which patients need hospital treatment and which patients can be safely cared for at home. This research will help doctors to provide appropriate care at what could be a very busy time for the health service."
Doctors will measure patients' temperature, breathing rate or blood oxygen levels, and examining hospital records over the next 30 days to find out what happens to patients.
Everyone attending the Northern General or Children's Hospital with suspected swine flu will be included in the project, but anyone who does not want their records used can opt out.
So far around 20 people in Sheffield have been hospitalised with swine flu but all have recovered.
n Anyone with suspected swine flu should call 0800 1513 100 or log on to www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu and, if necessary, will be given a unique reference number for a 'flu friend' to collect antiviral drugs from one of eight Sheffield collection points. Anyone with a serious underlying illness, who is pregnant, or who has a poorly child, should contact their GP directly.
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/headlines/University-in-emergency-swine-flu.5584676.jp
Published Date: 25 August 2009
RESEARCHERS at The University of Sheffield are carrying out an urgent swine flu project for the Government - to help predict which patients are likely to need hospital treatment.
Although swine flu has so far been a mild illness which most people overcome in a few days at home, some experts are concerned the virus could become stronger during a second wave in the autumn or winter, when it is thought hundreds of thousands of people could fall ill.
The Government has asked Professor Steve Goodacre, from Sheffield University's School of Health and Related Research, to lead a study which will look at whether measuring patient's symptoms can predict reliably whether they have a serious disease and if they need hospital treatment.
The Department of Health-funded research will involve patients attending the Northern General Hospital and the Sheffield's Children's Hospital with suspected swine flu.
Prof Goodacre said: "In a serious flu outbreak we will need to quickly and accurately identify which patients need hospital treatment and which patients can be safely cared for at home. This research will help doctors to provide appropriate care at what could be a very busy time for the health service."
Doctors will measure patients' temperature, breathing rate or blood oxygen levels, and examining hospital records over the next 30 days to find out what happens to patients.
Everyone attending the Northern General or Children's Hospital with suspected swine flu will be included in the project, but anyone who does not want their records used can opt out.
So far around 20 people in Sheffield have been hospitalised with swine flu but all have recovered.
n Anyone with suspected swine flu should call 0800 1513 100 or log on to www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu and, if necessary, will be given a unique reference number for a 'flu friend' to collect antiviral drugs from one of eight Sheffield collection points. Anyone with a serious underlying illness, who is pregnant, or who has a poorly child, should contact their GP directly.
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/headlines/University-in-emergency-swine-flu.5584676.jp