15 Jul 2009
People hoping to develop an immunity to the H1N1 virus have been discouraged from holding swine flu parties.
Dr Maureen Baker, honorary secretary at the Royal College of Practitioners, warned individuals that they were not a good idea.
"Although [swine flu] is mild for most people...some people do get severely ill and you can't necessarily predict who those will be," she explained.
"To go out of your way to catch it therefore seems foolish to me."
The number of swine flu-related deaths is on the rise in the UK, with six-year-old Chloe Buckley becoming the latest victim.
In an attempt to protect people from the virus, Britain's National Health Service is intending to vaccinate everyone in the country against swine flu.
The UK Health Protection Agency said earlier this month that the majority of swine flu cases have been mild, despite the number of deaths continuing to rise.
The age group most affected by the spread of the virus is those between five and 14-years-old.
Click here to visit the Flu Quick Guide
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