Flu advice for high-risk groups

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The Department of Health said separate pieces of guidance were pulled together in a section of the NHS website because it "made sense to clarify existing advice and put it in one place".

With the virus spreading to thousands of Britons, officials have sought to calm fears as the UK awaits the arrival of a vaccine.

Pregnant women were identified early on as a high-risk group, but concerns were heightened after a woman with swine flu died last week shortly after giving birth prematurely.

The 39-year-old woman, who died in Whipps Cross Hospital, was named by her brother as Ruptara Miah.

The total number of deaths linked to swine flu now stands at 29 in the UK.

According to the NHS, pregnant women are more susceptible to infections because their immune systems are suppressed and are advised to avoid unnecessary travel and crowded places.

Other high-risk groups include people with long-term conditions, the over-65s and children under five.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said it had not yet decided how the vaccines, which are expected to become available from next month, would be prioritised.

Pregnant women could take antivirals and be given vaccines, she said.