Swine flu: Sir Liam Donaldson Q&A
Updated on 29 April 2009
The government's Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Liam Donaldson joined Jon Snow to answers your questions about swine flu.
The spread of swine flu across the globe has many people in a state of confusion over what it all really means for us here in the UK.
We've been inundated with your questions about swine flu, the government's Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson joined us to answer them.
Thank you to everyone who emailed us with a question - apologies if yours was not read out on air, but we will be putting as many of them as we can to a group of experts and post their answers here soon.
Swine flu advice line
The swine flu advice line is on: 0800 1 513 513 for recorded information.
Swine flu advice line
A new information line providing advice about the swine flu outbreak will be up and running tomorrow, Health Secretary Alan Johnson said tonight.
Updating MPs on the "very fast moving situation" he said concerned members of the public will be able to call 0800 1 513 513 from tomorrow for recorded information about the virus.
Mr Johnson also confirmed plans to increase stockpiles of medicines including antivirals and antibiotics and the launch of a major public health campaign.
Your questions on swine flu
Am I likely to contract swine flu? Are protective masks any use? When will the outbreak pass?
Email us your questions and Jon Snow will put them to the government's Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson on tonight's Channel 4 News. The email address is: news@channel4.com.
Or you can debate the issue on Jon Snow's blog: What do you think?
NHS - swine flu Q&A
The NHS Direct website offers advice if you are concerned about swine flu.
Visit NHS Direct
Some of your questions
Below are a list of sample questions we've had so far:
"What are the key symptoms we should look out for and are there any important signifiers to suggest we may have swine flu rather than ordinary flu?" - Tom Milligan
"How can we reduce the chances of catching swine-flu? I have a 3 month old son, what can I do to protect him?" - Andrew Kirby from Bootle on Merseyside
"I travel on the tube a lot. Would it be effective to carry and wash my hands with alcohol gel?" - Robert Gibson from London
"If there were to be a serious outbreak in the UK, how would Tamiflu be dished out? To the elderly and vulnerable first? I am in my 20s - should I be going out and stocking up on Tamiflu now at a private doctor?" Emma Robinson from Buckinghamshire
"When would you estimate that a vaccine be available in my local doctors surgery?" - Michael Dunk
"Would an immediate stop to people flying in and out of Mexico had had any effect in containing the virus?" - Britt Warg
"Why don't we test people as they return from holiday in affected countries?" - Matthew Keen
"What are the criteria by which this outbreak will become a true pandemic? How many people have to die?" - Chris Dent
"What actually happens if it is classified as a pandemic - can we go to work? Travel? Commute?" - Daniela Conte
"Is it safe for me to travel with my wife and two young kids to Texas next week?" - Martin Clarke from Aberdeen
"What is the incubation period? I returned from Mexico on 18th April, my wife and two young daughters only last Saturday. We seem OK... but what is the incubation period?" - Steve Bridger from Yatton, North Somerset
"Given that 60,000 deaths are attributed to 'normal' influenza per annum in the US alone is everyone panicking over nothing?" - Simon Gotch
"If the swine flu mutates with the avian flu, will we have flying-pig flu?" - Beth Ditson
