Don't Throw Swine Flu Parties, Say Northern Ireland Doctors

Main Category: Swine Flu
Also Included In: Flu / Cold / SARS;  Public Health;  Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 02 Jul 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Throwing "swine flu parties" in an attempt to get immunity against the virus while it is a fairly mild form is not a good idea, the BMA said yesterday, 1 July 2009.

Reports have emerged of people intentionally mixing with friends who have flu. Their reasoning is that it is best to be infected before the winter when the virus could become more deadly.

Chairman of the public health committee for the BMA in Northern Ireland, Dr Colin Hamilton, said such behaviour could undermine the fight against swine flu.

Dr Hamilton said,
"I have heard of reports of people throwing swine flu parties and I don't think it is a good idea. I would not want it myself.

"I must stress that while the H1N1 virus is currently a mild flu, parents would still be putting their health and the health of their children at risk. People will still get ill and there is a risk of mortality".

"The virus has only been known for two months and is still an unknown quantity. Our advice remains that people should avoid contracting it as much as possible until vaccines are produced.

"The idea of having a flu party is the complete opposite to this advice. Apparently healthy young people have died in Mexico and the USA from this virus and many children may have conditions unknown to their parents, which would make them especially vulnerable".

Dr Hamilton continued,
"If you have recently travelled from an infected country or believe that you have been in contact with someone who potentially has swine flu, then you need to stay at home and phone your GP. Travelling to a busy GP surgery will only spread the virus further.

"You should also follow the Department of Health's straightforward measures to help reduce the spread of flu".

Measures include:
- Always use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing
- Dispose of the tissue
- Wash your hands with soap and water or sanitising gel

The message is simple, Catch It, Bin It, Kill It.

British Medical Association Northern Ireland
16 Cromac Place
Cromac Wood, Ormeau Road,
Belfast BT7 2JB