Website of the UK government

Before you travel to the UK

Check your symptoms

Follow the link below or call 0800 1 513 100 (textphone - 0800 1 513 200)

• National Pandemic Flu Service Opens new window

Before you travel to the UK, make sure that you have access to adequate healthcare and insurance before travelling.

You are also advised to make sure you are aware of the symptoms associated with swine flu.

Symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu and include:

• fever 
  
• fatigue
  
• lack of appetite
  
• coughing
  
• sore throat
  
• pain in muscles and joints
  
• headache and chills
  
• some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea
  

If you are ill with symptoms of swine flu, you should delay travelling until you are well.

• Swine flu - treatment and prevention

• Do you have swine flu?

• National Pandemic Flu Service Opens new window

Free treatment and care

Overseas visitors will not be charged for NHS hospital treatment for swine flu, including antivirals such as Tamiflu or Relenza. 

Pandemic flu is included in the list of exempt from charge diseases, so the diagnosis and treatment of swine flu in hospitals is free for everyone.

If a foreign national has to remain in the UK because of swine flu, they will not receive benefits to support them. Visitors are expected to take out appropriate insurance before travelling overseas.

• Travel health and the European Health Insurance Card

• Travel insurance

If you catch swine flu when you're in the UK

Swine flu information leaflet

• Download Swine flu information leaflet (PDF, 119K)

• Alternative languages and versions

• British Sign Language version

If you think you have swine flu while you are in the UK, visit the new National Pandemic Flu Service website by following the link below, or call 0800 1 513 100 (0800 1 513 200 for textphone).

If you are in England, you will be able to check your symptoms and, if necessary, be given antiviral drugs.

If you are in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, follow the specific advice for that country or see the 'information around the UK' link below.

• National Pandemic Flu Service Opens new window

• Information around the UK

Tips to reduce the risk of catching swine flu

General good hygiene practice can help to reduce the spread of all viruses, including swine flu.

This includes:

• covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
  
• disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
  
• maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from
• your hands to your face or to other people
  
• if it is difficult to wash your hands with soap and water when you are outdoors, use alcohol-based hand gels
  
• making sure your children follow this advice

Face masks

Although face masks have been given out in other countries, there is no actual evidence that proves wearing a face mask will stop you getting the virus. It’s more effective to use tissues when sneezing and coughing and wash your hands regularly.

• Do you have swine flu?

• Swine flu - treatment and prevention

Further information

• Swine flu - everything you need to know

• Swine flu - travel advice

• Schools, parents and pregnant women