SWINE FLU
I’m worried about catching swine flu, especially now it is a cold time of year and colds and flu spread much more.  A few kids at my school have been off with flu symptoms recently and I’m scared to hang around with people who have a cold, just in case it is swine flu and I catch it off them. How can I stay safe from swine flu or stop it spreading?
Cheryl (17) Wednesbury

Although anyone can catch flu, seasonal flu tends to cause more problems among the elderly, very young and the chronically ill. However, pandemic flu tends to affect previously healthy adults. Swine flu is highly contagious. Symptoms begin within two days of exposure, at which point the person is most infectious. They are very similar to those produced by seasonal flu, including; high fever (usually above 38 ºC), cough, sore throat, headache, aching muscles, chills and shivers despite fever, exhaustion or fatigue, diarrhoea or a stomach upset.

If you think you have developed  flu-like symptoms, you should stay at home until you are symptom free. Contact the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 513, who will use a checklist to diagnose if you have swine flu.

As with all infections, good hygiene is absolutely essential to reduce the risk of spread or contact with the virus. So my advice would be to wash your hands regularly, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, use tissues and dispose of them carefully, clean hard surfaces regularly with cleaning fluid, and avoid close contact with people who have fever and a cough.

HOW TO TREAT A VERRUCA
I think I have a verruca on my foot and sometimes it’s quite painful. I don’t exactly know what it is or how it got there, how do I get rid of it?
Callum (15) Wednesbury

Warts and verrucas are small, non-cancerous growths within the skin. Warts may occur on their own or in clusters. There are many different types including; common warts – these raised growths with a hard uneven surface are the most familiar type of wart, which can be painful and usually appear on the hands and feet. Then there are plantar warts (verrucas), which are warts on the soles of the feet that have been pushed into the skin surface by the weight of the body.

Verrucas may be itchy and painful especially when they cause pressure on nerves. Talk to a doctor if a wart doesn’t respond to simple treatment or disappear after a while. Other treatments include  laser or freezing, or surgical curettage to scrape it out. These treatments are quite effective but can be painful and may need to be repeated.

I’VE TWISTED MY ANKLE
My ankle is swollen after a day of skateboarding, but  I don’t remember twisting it. How did it get there?
Robert (16) Smethwick

It’s not unusual for people to twist their ankle and cause injury without realising. If the injury is minor and made worse by continued activity, the pain may not be felt until later. This is probably what happened to you.

The damage that occurs is to the ligaments. These are bands of strong fibrous tissue that connect the bones and support the joints. If the foot turns inwards, the fibres may tear and tiny blood vessels may bleed. This is why the ankle swells. To reduce the pain you need ‘RICE’, which is; Rest, Ice, Compression (using a support bandage) and Elevation. Keep doing this until the swelling has gone down. If the swelling doesn’t go then see your GP because it might be broken.

I CAN’T STOP FARTING 
I can’t stop my excess wind. I’ve stopped eating spicy foods but I just can’t stop it. It’s embarrassing, what can I do?
Raj (16) Oldbury

It’s perfectly normal to produce wind, even in large quantities. Wind is the natural product of the action of the digestive system in the gut, as enzymes and bacteria break down carbohydrates and proteins in the diet. Wind can either travel upwards from the stomach as burps, or expel as flatulence from the rear.

To help aid digestion and reduce wind I suggest you eat slowly with small mouthfuls, avoid heavy meals and try not to gulp liquids, cutting down on fizzy drinks. Add herbs and spices to meals like fennel seeds and thyme. Eat live yoghurt to help provide adequate supplies of the bacteria that aid digestion. Peppermint tea also relaxes the muscles of the bowel and stops the discomfort that makes people feel the need to pass wind.

l If you are 12-15 years old then check out www.teenlifecheck.co.uk, and for more information and support for all ages then visit www.ourguideto.co.uk