Health experts in Leeds and Bradford are urging anyone in Wharfedale, Aireborough and Horsforth who thinks they may have swine flu to stay at home.

GP surgeries and accident and emergency departments at hospitals across the region are reporting increasing numbers of worried people turning up looking for diagnosis and treatment for swine flu rather than going through the normal channels.

Dr Anita Sims, director of public health for Bradford, said there were robust procedures in place across the district to ensure people with swine flu are treated as soon as possible.

People should call either NHS Direct on 0845 46 47, or the flu information line on 0800 1513 513.

Those who are still concerned should call their GP who can give a diagnosis over the phone and, if necessary, organise a prescription for collection by a designated ‘flu friend’.

Dr Sims said: “We do expect that there will be a rise in the number of cases over the coming weeks. I can’t stress enough how important it is for people to stay at home if they think they have swine flu.

“The majority of swine flu cases in the region have been mild with those catching the virus making a full and fast recovery.”

A spokesman for the Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust said: “The UK has moved to a treatment phase to manage the current flu pandemic since July 2.

“As a result GPs are diagnosing cases on the basis of clinical observation rather than laboratory testing. Everyone who has flu-like symptoms will be assessed by a doctor and, if diagnosed with swine flu, should be offered an anti-viral medicine to manage their illness.”

The message from Leeds is also to stay at home if you fall ill and use the above information lines or telephone your GP.

People can also check their symptoms using the NHS direct symptom checker on the NHS Direct website.