WARRINGTON and Halton hospitals have confirmed several cases of swine flu over the festive period.

A spokesman said: “In common with the rest of the country, the hospital has seen several confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus over the past couple of weeks, along with a general increase in patients with flu-like symptoms and respiratory conditions, which is usual at this time of year.

“We put in place a range of developments to help us to be ready for winter. The extra capacity we put in place such as the new urgent care centre at Warrington Hospital has helped us to cope with the extra demand.”

The trust asked people not to attend A&E with general flu-like symptoms and to phone either their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for advice.

Swine flu, or the H1N1 virus, is the common name given to the relatively new strain of flu that caused a pandemic in 2009.

Seasonal flu kills around 2,000 people in the UK every year and this year swine flu is the most common flu virus.

The NHS has recommended that people in high-risk groups, such as pregnant women, be vaccinated against it.

Other vulnerable people include those with diabetes or lung, heart, kidney, liver or neurological diseases.

Also at risk are patients who have had drug treatment for asthma in the past three years and people aged 65 and over.

People with swine flu typically have a fever or high temperature and may also have aching muscles, a sore throat or a dry cough.

The symptoms are very similar to other types of seasonal flu and most people recover within a week, even without specialist treatment.

The best advice for treating flu in healthy people is to rest, drink plenty of fluids and take pain relievers such as paracetamol.