My surgery, like others across Britain, has been taking calls from those concerned about swine flu. It’s not a deluge — up to 15 calls a day over the past week in a practice of 6,000 patients — but that is likely to change over the next few weeks.

Despite the recent deaths, it is vital to keep the risks in perspective. This is a virus to which few, if any, have natural immunity. But, so far, it has proven a milder strain than initially feared, and one that poses little threat to life.

As with any flu epidemic, deaths will occur, and some will be among outwardly healthy young adults and children. But such cases are rare, and the risks are currently no more, and a lot less, than some seasonal outbreaks. For most of us, having swine flu will mean a few days in bed and a week or two off work, college or school. But if you suspect you have the virus, it pays to act quickly. The sooner Tamiflu is given, the more effective it is likely to be, at reducing the risk of serious complications, and passing on the virus.

General advice:

Symptoms include a high temperature (38C/100F or higher) AND two or more of the following: a cough, sore throat, runny nose, limb or joint pain, headache, vomiting or diarrhoea.

Check symptoms, and follow advice at www.nhs.uk, or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 (08454 242424 in Scotland).

If you are still worried, contact your GP who can dispense Tamiflu, if required.

Do NOT go to your surgery, pharmacy or A&E. A friend or relative should collect Tamiflu for you.