What's the procedure for Swine Flu symptoms in Spain?

[wodge]

Summer holidays are about to start and I'm just wondering what the procedure is in Spain if you are suffering from Flu symptoms. There are already 15 kids off with Swine Flu at my childrens school and I'm concerned that if any of them show any signs of Flu when we are over I do not know who to contact.
One of the kids has a medical condition that is listed on the vunerable/high risk list.

Wodge

[scotty]

15 kids in the school with symptoms and you have a kid thats vunerable & you still intend to travel ? I'm glad I got my holidays before the UK schools broke up.

[crazyred]

If you have a child that is vulnerable then you should naturally start boosting their immune system before thinking of traveling. Loads of fresh fruit & veg, as little refined sugars as possible (replace with honey as this has immune system benefits) & 10 days on, 10 days off children's echinacea (check with your Dr for any contraindications). You could also give them a weekly dose of Gelsemium which is one of the major homeopathic flu remedies and can also be used for prevention.
Best form of prevention is regular handwashing.

[wodge]

Thanks, but who do you contact-most travel insurers do not cover you for swine flu so I suppose it will have to be through the Spanish NHS equivalent.

Scotty- all of my children are well at the moment and I would not travel if any of them were ill but we can't put our lives on hold waiting for something that may never happen. Remember we in the UK are no longer testing for Swine Flu and some of these 15 kids could just have the common flu. I'm just taking precaution in case help is required.

[scotty]

Point taken Wodge. But if as you say there are 15 kids in your kids school with the virus then are you being sensible travelling ? Is there not a tiny chance one of your kids may carry & spread the virus ? Ireland is the same as UK regarding the ongoing treatment of it as well.

[janda_grant2]

Is there not a tiny chance one of your kids may carry & spread the virus ?

I remember from boarding school days, if we came into contact with anything infectious during the holidays we had to stay at home until the quarantine period for whatever it was had passed (shame!) On the same principle, one of the reasons there is swine flu in the UK and Spain is because people who went on holiday brought it back, ergo is it not possible that you could spread it to areas where there is (as yet) no swine flu if you don't wait out the quarantine period? I know from a selfish point of view, and being someone with an 'underlying health problem', I would not be welcoming you with open arms. Sorry.

[wodge]

Please don't judge me. I've taken the advice of our GP and the specialist responsible for the medical condition. The LEA have not closed the school and we have advised by the medical professionals that the kids should still go to school and live normally. They do not have Swine Flu and I would not put the kids at risk!
Please see the following info from the direct.gov website
If schools are open, parents should send their children to school unless they have any symptoms. They will be advised if the school is to close and what to do then. These decisions will be made by health professionals with expert knowledge who will always have the interests of pupils in mind. Parents are urged not to withdraw their children unless given this advice. Local authorities will decide on any action against parents keeping healthy children off school[/i]

Is there anyone who can help with my original question-the procedure for any problems in the UK are to ring your GP-what is the procedure in Spain? I'm trying to be a responsible parent, I know what to do at home but what do the Spanish Government recommend you do in Spain.

[katy]

TBH I don't know what the health service is saying in either country. I do think perhaps many people are saying they have the flu when they haven't. They would have to test everyone to really know the figure. There is a lot about in Spain too (so they say). People in any country could have been in direct contact with someone who has it and not know. I think people are over-re-acting.

[julian]

"what is the procedure in Spain? I'm trying to be a responsible parent, I know what to do at home but what do the Spanish Government recommend you do in Spain"

go to a doctor

[wodge]

"go to a doctor

That's the last thing you should do if you have any flu symptoms, I give up!
I thought I was asking a sensible question-thanks to Katy and Crazyred for trying to help.

[Paula]

There is some info here and a Health Authority number to contact for Andalucia. (It is a Spanish website )

http://www.msc.es/en/servCiudadanos/ale ... tm#enlacee

Personally I would contact the local Doctors surgery when you arrive and ask them Wodge, so that you get accurate info quickly. I haven't seen anything printed here on what they want people to do. I certainly wouldn't expect them to ask you to go with symptoms to the surgery either. In UK where my house is you can't even get an a;ppointment for anything at the surgery at the moment. They are trying to keep the place empty.

For info the WHO are not discouraging people from travel unless they have symptoms. Blimey the world will stop if everyone stays indoors just incase

Wodge, hope you have a good and healthy time in Spain

[julian]

That's the last thing you should do if you have any flu symptoms, I give up!.


.ok, well don´t do anything..I´m lost as to what to are asking and what reply you want..if you know what to do, and not what to do , why ask?

[Paula]

Julian, in the UK it is common knowledge that you call your Doctors surgery if you have symptoms.

I think Wodge was asking if there is a set procedure in Spain, and assuming that members on A.com living here may know. Simple really.

[Jool]

I think you should obtain supplies of Tamiflu in the UK and bring those with you. If your child with underlying health issues does fall ill with flu like symptoms then start giving that medicine, keep them cool and drinking lots of liquid and phone the local health centre and speak to them over the phone......or get a translator to do it for you.....

Make sure you have a valid EHIC card with you for your trip.

[crazyred]

Absolutely make sure you have an EHIC card and make sure you know where the local medical centre is. If one of you can go in & tell them what the symptoms are and that it is a child, they will come to you. Or, you could always go in the car and while someone stays in the car with the child, get someone from the medical centre to come out (explaining the possibility of flu). From experience, I know that they deal with children quickly in an emergency situation. I would treat it as any other flu as despite the deaths proclaimed over the news, it does appear to be a mild strain, and call for an ambulance if they seem to be deteriorating or have serious secondary problems. The very best you can do is to raise the level of your child's immune system so that it can fight the virus alone and build antibodies up for any similar strain in the future.

I hope this helps and that you have a good holiday

[hillybilly]

I would think this would be the first port of call for info surely?!
http://www.msc.es/

[wodge]

Thank you very much for your advice, I'll familarise myself with the nearest Medical Centre when I arrive and try to build up their immunity prior to travel.
Hopefully our holiday will be problem free and we will have a great time.

Wodge