People are dying, pigs are being slaughtered, schools are closing and swine flu has even hit the shores of the British Isles. Is this global pandemic cause for panic or is everyone getting in a flap about nothing?

The threat of swine flu in the UK may seem to be no more than a pesky sniffle that popping a few anti-virals will cure. But as we've seen from the news, the virus has hit Mexico hard, emphasising the problems that inadequate health care and cramped living conditions can cause for people in the developing world.

Our own government is splashing out on costly advertising and leaflet campaigns to raise awareness and prevent the spread of the virus in this country but millions of people in the world don't have the cash to stretch to basic medication.

Ctrl.Alt.Shift felt it was time to hit the streets of Bristol to find out what you think. We asked the public: How has the swine flu pandemic affected you? Would the government's money on swanky TV ads and leaflets money be better spent on basic health care here and in other countries? Would you be prepared to take a cut in your medical care to help those who have none around the world? Is it irresponsible for the Mexican government to close down shops and restaurants to stop the spread of the virus, in turn threatening the owners' livelihoods? And is swine flu overly hyped up in the press, given that other diseases such as HIV affects millions of lives, yet arguably receives half as much publicity?

Tom, 20:
"I'm not at all more cautious. At the time, the TV ads and leaflets were a good idea because we didn't know how bad it was going to be in the UK. I'd possibly take a cut in my own health care to improve it elsewhere but I don't know if it would work like that. The government should give more aid to other countries but whether it comes out of the health budget is a different matter - it could come from something else like the defence budget. We need to have some coverage but I think the media frenzy is a bit over the top really, it seems we have a pandemic every few years - first it was SARS and bird flu. Having said that I'd rather read about swine flu than a lot of other things in the news, like Jade Goody."

Daniel, 20:
"I haven't really been affected, but I don't think it's irresponsible of the government to try and protect people when there are health issues, so they were right to do the ads and leaflets. We could do more on health issues around the world but I don't think it's feasible to cut our health care for that to happen. The Mexican government were incredibly sensible to try and stop the spread of the flu and people dying by closing shops and restaurants. It's not something they did for international credibility but something they unfortunately had to do there and then. Deaths from swine flu have been minimal compared to deaths from normal flu which kills hundreds of people in the UK every year - coverage has been very overblown."

Lucy, 19:
"We always panic about these things like foot and mouth and avian flu- I'm not more cautious but I've definitely noticed that other people are. We're prone to panic, we like it in a funny way. Maybe it's so prevalent in the news because it's something we can control by knowing the facts.  Personally, I'd be prepared to have a cut in health care to fund more in developing countries, but I don't use the NHS much at the moment - if I relied on it every day maybe it would be different. In Mexico it's already proven to be a pandemic, so it's probably better to close shops and restaurants down for a while than to be impacted more heavily."

Nicola, 21:
"I wouldn't say I'm more cautious but I'm wary when friends have colds and stuff like that. There's definitely an argument for spending more money overseas on basic health care but if we can stop a pandemic bringing Britain to a standstill, then it's worthwhile spending money on ad campaigns and leaflets here. I'd be willing to take a cut to support more basic healthcare elsewhere, when it's put like that. It's difficult to criticise Mexicans for keeping their businesses open when many aren't as wealthy as us, so maybe it's a little irresponsible but we've all got to do what we have to in order to survive." 

James, 20:
"My friend got quarantined which was a bit scary. An ambulance turned up at the house but they didn't even go in. I think it's all out of proportion though, I don't think anyone's died in England yet so maybe some more money could be spent on basic health care overseas. To be honest I'm not a baby or an old person, if I get it I'll just get extenuating circumstances in my exams. I find stories often get blown out of proportion in the press compared to how much I care about them." 

Reena, 19:
"I'm more cautious about going out because they warned us about going to crowded places. Not many people know the symptoms of swine flu so I guess if it does tell us what they are, and how to avoid catching it, it's money well spent. I do think there's a bit too much in the media creating unnecessary panic though. I'd agree with more support for basic health care in developing countries - I think the main thing is to raise awareness." 

Words: Adam Gardner and Stephanie Hubbard
Photos: Adam Gardner