A telephone helpline for swine flu victims has been launched in England this week. Adapted to answer a million calls per week, the helpline is part of England the national pandemic influenza Service.

The helpline is under strong criticism because it is not occupied by medical professionals, but also call center personnel without medical training. The idea is that it takes a little pressure in NHS clinics and GP's practices. The government says that the helpline is an easy and fast access of patients to Tamiflu and other antiviral drugs, without a visit to a GP or a hospital operation. However, it is all too easy for healthcare professionals, for a wrong diagnosis, there is a real risk that the helpline staff someone wrong diagnosis. There is always the risk that the symptoms of swine flu mask may be a more serious condition such as meningitis.

Suspicion of swine influenza patients will have the opportunity to visit the pandemic flu and services to complete a questionnaire online or call the hotline and answer a list of questions about their symptoms, on the phone. All interested parties are invited, with a "flu friend". If a positive diagnosis of swine influenza, they have special permits, so that their number friend flu Tamiflu may withdraw or anti-viral drugs for a pickup. The service sounds good in theory. Only time will tell how it really works well.

More than 100,000 people estimated contract swine influenza in the last week alone, while nearly 30 dead. Within a few days on the market, the site was flooded with visitors. New advertising for the service were just under a £ 2.4million advertising campaign to promote. The spots, the symptoms of swine flu, fever or high temperature over 38C or 100.4F. The Government is also counsel for the importance of man sneezing into a handkerchief or tissue, rather than air, "capture and sneezing binning" and the importance of hygiene and wash hands their hands regularly. Many companies (including companies in which I work) have invested in the hands of frost kills all germs, with the virus. In most diseases, including swine fever, flu, prevention is better than cure.