Swine flu not impacting significantly on Athlone

Swine flu is not impacting significantly on Athlone at the moment, according to a local GP. Dr Graham Kearon said this week that things are not too bad in Athlone, but said there is an increased awareness and of the virus and also increased anxiety surrounding it and how it should be managed. "There is still not a significantly dramatic increase. We would have worries about the workload in the winter," he said. "Everybody is stretched as it is, anything that will increase that and increase the anxiety for people will place huge strains on GPs to be able to manage and cope."However, Dr Kearon said people should not be over worried about the illness and said most people should be able to fight it off at home with bedrest, lots of fluids and paracetamol. He said the symptoms of swine flu were the same symptoms for any cold or viral infection and included coughing, runny nose, aches and pains, nausea and diarrhoea."People shouldn't get over worried unless they have a combination of these symptoms or if they are unwell with a combination of these symptoms and if you're not sure you should contact your GP for advice before coming in," said Dr Kearon. The virus only presents a risk to those in vulnerable categories, such as the elderly, the very young and those with underlying medical conditions, but most people will be able to fight off the illness on their own at home.