Wales' chief medical officer Dr. Tony Jewell gives vital advice for you and your family

There is no doubt that the number of cases of swine flu  in Wales will increase during the next few weeks and further waves over the next year.

But we can all help to minimise the outbreak - if we pull together.

The most important message is - please don't turn up at your doctor's surgery or local hospital if you feel you have flu-like symptoms.  That only spreads the virus, perhaps infecting people at greater risk such as young children, expectant mothers or those with underlying health problems.

Instead stay at home and use the 'phone or the internet to get advice.

You can call the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513 for recorded advice and the latest information - or visit http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk">www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk or http://www.wales.gov.uk/health">www.wales.gov.uk/health.

Then, if you are still concerned, contact NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 or phone your GP who can provide diagnosis over the phone and give the advice you need.

For most people, the flu virus is proving relatively mild - so they can self-care and recover well without the need for anti-virals,.

In the case of high risk groups - for example, pregnant women, children under five years old and people with heart or lung disease - contact your GP straight away: antiviral treatment is more effective if given within 48 hours.

A lot of people will have heard press and TV coverage of the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) that is being launched in England, where swine flu has spread more rapidly.

In Wales, we have decided to continue to provide advice through our existing NHS Direct Wales service, which is staffed by health professionals. 

Our health service staff are currently developing new arrangements to handle the increase in enquiries based on the experience of colleagues in Scotland.

If the number of cases here escalates greatly and we face operational problems  we will have the option of plugging into the NPFS.

But at the moment, the number of cases remains comparable to seasonal winter flu, so it makes sense for us in Wales to enhance existing NHS services that people know and understand.

At home and out and about, we can help limit the spread of the virus by good hygiene - we need to be vigilant about using tissues, binning them and then washing our hands that is why our message is Catch It , Bin It, Kill It.

We are working hard to ensure a supply of vaccine sufficient for the whole population of Wales - but that will take some time and obviously the needs of high-risk groups have to be met first.

That's why it is crucial that during the coming months the people of Wales help the NHS and help each other - together we can pull through.

Swine Flu symptoms

Sudden fever; sudden cough; headache; chills; aching muscles; limb or joint pain; diarrhoea or stomach upset; sore throat; loss of appetite; runny nose.

What to do

If you have flu-like symptoms stay at home. You can check your symptoms by calling the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 or by visiting the website at http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk">www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk

Paracetamol can help with the aches and pains and reduce the temperature and fluids can help with the fever.

If you are still concerned, contact your or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 or your GP.

If you are in the following risk groups and have flu like symptoms, please contact your GP practice for further advice: people with chronic lung disease; people with chronic heart disease; people with chronic kidney disease; people with chronic liver disease; people with chronic neurological disease; people with weakened immune systems; people with diabetes mellitus; people who have had drug treatment for their asthma within the past three years; pregnant women; children under five-years-old.

In addition to the at risk groups, doctors will continue to use their clinical discretion and judgement and may prescribe antivirals to those they have specific concerns about, such as those with moderate or severe symptoms.

If you have flu-like symptoms and need to collect medicines, please make arrangements for a healthy family member or friend to collect on your behalf or, where available, use the home delivery service.

What not to do

Do not go into your Accident and Emergency Department, GP or pharmacy unless you are advised to do so or are seriously ill, as you may spread the illness to others.