Health care practitioners in the United Kingdom, especially nurses, are doubly cautious and vigilant in protecting themselves against H1N1 infection, amidst reports of the growing number of cases in the UK.

They are also confident that the UK Department of Health is both equipped with facility and technology to curb the spread of the virus.
 
“Kasi every time na may mag-sneeze sa harap mo you will think na baka may swine flu ito so parang gusto mo na lang mag taxi every time pero di naman pwede kasi its so expensive here,” said Imelda Espanillo, a nurse in London.

Espanillo said that people should cover their noses when someone sneezes so as not to catch swine flu which is viral. “It’s in the air and anyone can catch it,” said Espanillo.

Although she confidently stated that the hospital where she is working at is “swine flu-free”, she still believes that physical measures such as hand washing and respiratory hygiene play a key role in preventing the further spread of the virus.

H1N1 cases in the UK is on the increase and with hay fever more common as the summer time approaches, Pinoys working in hospitals as well as the people they interact with are on the guard.

“Kasi dito aware talaga ang mga tao. Bumahing ka lang o umubo by accident aware sila. Kasi kami di naman umuubo sa loob (ng kuwarto) tatakbo kami sa labas. Pag narinig nila yun alam talaga nila agad na ubo at sipon kaya di kami nakakapasok (ng kuwarto ng pasyente),” said Ofelia Boral who works as a cleaner in a London hospital. 

Hay fever is an allergy to pollens from grasses and trees. It is more common during the summer when the levels of pollen are at its highest. A person with Hay fever suffers sneezing, itching, runny nose and coughing, similar to some of the early symptoms of H1N1.

The symptoms of the two maybe similar but Annaliza Pagala, is the least worried. As a nurse, she said she is trained to know the distinction.

“As nurses alam namin ang sintomas ng influenza o swine flu so nasa amin na kung paano namin pangangalagaan ang sarili namin,” she said. 

UK’s Department of Health has already launched 'Catch it, Bin it, Kill it' campaign which aims to help reduce the spread of germs leading to colds, flu and other illnesses. The campaign endorses the use of clean tissue when coughing or sneezing, disposing of tissues correctly and washing hands.

The World Health Organization figures reveal at least 46 countries have confirmed more than 12,950 H1N1 cases. The number of confirmed cases in the UK is now 184, according to the Department of Health.