The swine flu virus can be transmitted through the droplets that come out of an infected person’s nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze. The most effective way of reducing transmission is by following simple respiratory and hand hygiene.

You can reduce the risk of catching or spreading swine flu by doing the following:

• Catch it – always covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when
  coughing or sneezing.
• Bin it – throwing away dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
• Kill it – maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and warm water or using a sanitiser gel.

Cleaning hard surfaces that are frequently touched (such as door handles) using a normal cleaning product will also help reduce the spread of infection.

Can I continue with my normal activities?

Yes. Carry on doing the things you normally do, such as going to work, travelling on public transport and attending family gatherings. However, try to avoid visiting family or friends who are suffering flu-like symptoms. If you know of a large number of people falling ill in your neighbourhood, you may prefer to avoid crowded places where possible.

Am I at risk at work?

Legally, employers must assess the risks to their employees from their job, including work risks which may affect expectant mothers. You should therefore let your employer know, in writing if possible, about your pregnancy as soon as you can. This will allow you both to look at the possible risks of your job and to take any necessary action to protect the health and safety of both you and your baby.

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What should I do now?

You should be invited to go to a vaccination clinic or to make an appointment at your GP surgery. Not everyone in the country will get their vaccine at exactly the same time, so don’t worry if you don’t hear from your GP surgery straightaway. However, if after a few weeks you still haven’t heard anything, get in touch with your GP surgery.

If you are pregnant and think you have swine flu

• In England

  Contact your GP People who are not in higher risk groups should visit www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu or call the National Pandemic Flu Service: 0800 1 513 100 Textphone: 0800 1 513 200 (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing)

• In Scotland

  Contact your GP or NHS24: 08454 24 24 24 Textphone: 18001 08454 24 24 24 (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing)

• In Wales

  Contact your GP or call NHS Direct Wales: 0845 46 47 Textphone: 0845 606 46 47 (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing)

• In Northern Ireland

  Contact your GP or the Northern Ireland swine flu helpline: 0800 0514 142 Textphone: 18001 0800 0514 142 (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing) Calling NHS24 should cost no more than the price of a local telephone call from a BT landline.

Calls to NHS Direct Wales cost a maximum of 2p per minute from most BT landlines. Calls to all other numbers here are free from landlines. Calls from mobiles and other networks may vary – please check with your provider.

For more information about swine flu and pregnancy Visit www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu