The symptoms of A(H1N1) flu are a sudden fever (38 oC or above in adults, 38.5 oC or above in children under the age of 3), connected with respiratory symptoms, such as a sore throat, a cough or a head cold as well as aching muscles and joints.
If the patient belongs to a high-risk group or his/her general condition is poor, contact the health care specialists ALWAYS first by phone. The high-risk groups include pregnant women, children aged under 3 years, and people suffering from a heart or lung disease, immunodeficiency or morbid obesity.
Most patients who get flu will recover with around a week's rest at home, without needing treatment by a doctor. The symptoms can be mitigated with pain medication if necessary.
Helsinki metropolitan area and HUCH Telephone Health Service (09)10023
Experienced health care professionals provide round-the-clock advice and information to callers in the metropolitan area through the centralised Telephone Health Service at (09)10023.
In serious cases, call the emergency number 112.
Helsinki
If you have flu symptoms, call Laakso flu health centre on (09) 3104 7936, Monday-Sunday 8-16; and at other times, health services advice on (09) 10 023. If you are in a high-risk group, you must contact the flu health centre.
All other residents of Helsinki who suspect they have flu may also contact the flu health centre.
The address of the Laakso flu health centre is Lääkärinkatu 8 R, 00250 Helsinki. It is open every day from 8-16. Please call before you come!
Health Centre in Helsinki
For influenza patients
Vantaa
Those persons who believe they have been infected by the A/H1N1 influenza virus, who are in the high-risk group or who are suffering from serious symptoms should immediately phone their own health centre’s advice number 09 10023 (opening hours: 8 am to 4 pm on weekdays) or outpatient service 09 471 67060 for advice on possible medication and other treatment.
Those persons who believe they have been infected by the A/H1N1 influenza virus, and who need a sick leave certificate, but are not in the high-risk group or are not suffering from serious symptoms, should contact their own health centre by phone from 8 am to 4 pm on weekdays.
The front page of the city's website
Guidelines for treating influenza in Vantaa
Espoo
Espoo health centres are currently operating with summer-time staff and smaller health centres are closed. If it is decided over phone that the patient should be medically examined due to suspected influenza, a day-time appointment will usually be scheduled at one of the health centres. Only severely ill patients in need of hospitalisation will be referred to evening or weekend emergency duty at Jorvi Hospital.
A patient suffering from respiratory symptoms should ALWAYS call if he/she suspects that there is need for medical attention.
Urgent cases are handled on weekdays at 8.00 am – 4.00 pm at the following health centres: Leppävaara tel. (09) 8163 5100, Terveystalo Samaria (Espoon keskus) tel. (09) 10023, Puolarmetsä (Matinkylä-Olari area) tel. (09) 816 42412, Tapiola tel. (09) 816 38800 (Note! Due to water damage some patients will be referred to Puolarmetsä.), Espoonlahti tel. (09) 816 46600.
Health services in Espoo
For influenza patients
More information:
"Ask about the flu" phone line (the Red Cross and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health), Mon-Fri 12-18, tel. 0800 02277 (in Finnish), 0800 02278 (in Swedish).This does not provide advice on a caller's state of health.
National Institute for Health and Welfare
Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
