IN response to the accelerating numbers of people contracting swine flu, the NHS in Comet country has issued further guidance today (Thursday). A spokesman for NHS East and North Hertfordshire said: Whilst we do not know exactly how many Hertfordshire re

IN response to the accelerating numbers of people contracting swine flu, the NHS in Comet country has issued further guidance today (Thursday).

A spokesman for NHS East and North Hertfordshire said: "Whilst we do not know exactly how many Hertfordshire residents have developed the illness, the numbers are clearly increasingly rapidly.

"Thankfully, for the vast majority of people, symptoms are mild and they are recovering within days."

Jane Halpin, Director of Public Health at NHS East and North Hertfordshire, said: "People who do develop symptoms such as a sudden fever, cough, a headache, sore throat, tiredness, aching muscles, sneezing, runny nose or loss of appetite may have swine flu.

"You can check your symptoms online on the NHS Direct symptom checker www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

"The best thing you can do is stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and take over-the-counter flu remedies such as paracetamol to help relieve the symptoms.

"If you have taken these steps and are still concerned, please remain at home and call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or telephone your GP for more advice. "Please do not visit your GP. You should only visit A&E if you are advised to do so by a health professional or are seriously ill.

"It is particularly important that you talk to your doctor if you think you have swine flu and are pregnant, very young, over 65 or have long-term conditions such as asthma or diabetes.

"To get more information on swine flu or to check your symptoms, visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or contact the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513, where you can get recorded information about the illness.