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Glossary of Terms

Antiviral
Avian Influenza
Bird Flu
Epidemic
Flu

H5N1
Influenza
Influenza Pandemic
Isolation
Pandemic

Pandemic Influenza Quarantine
Seasonal Influenza
Social Distancing
Vaccine

Antiviral

A medication that may be used to treat people who have been infected by a virus to help limit the impact of some symptoms and reduce the potential for serious complications. People who are in high risk groups are often given antiviral drugs because of their increased potential to develop additional health issues.

Avian Influenza (bird flu) Commonly known as bird flu, this strain of influenza virus is naturally occurring in birds. Wild birds can carry the virus and may not get sick from it; however, domestic birds may become infected by the virus and often die from it.
Epidemic

The rapid spread of a disease that infects some or many people in a community or region at the same time.

H5N1

The scientific name for a subtype of the avian influenza (bird flu) virus that has spread from birds to humans.

The scientific names for these subtypes are classified by different proteins on the virus. New subtypes naturally occur when the proteins change.
Influenza (flu) A contagious respiratory illness caused by particular strains of viruses.
Influenza Pandemic A global outbreak of the influenza disease that occurs when a new influenza virus appears in the human population. Because people have little or no immunity to the new strain, serious illness can occur, and the virus can spread easily and rapidly from person to person with no vaccine immediately available.
Isolation
The physical separation of a person suffering from an infectious or contagious disease from others in a community.
Pandemic

An outbreak of a disease that affects large numbers of throughout the world.

Pandemic Influenza a virulent influenza (flu) caused by a new flu virus strain to which humans have not been exposed. It is more serious than a typical seasonal flu because there is no natural resistance or immunity to it and infects large numbers of people of different ages all over the world, causing serious illness and possibly death.
Quarantine

The physical separation of healthy people who have been exposed to an infectious disease—for a period of time—from those who have not been exposed.

Seasonal Flu A contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza (flu) viruses occurring every year. It affects an average of 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population by causing mild to severe illness, and in some instances can lead to death. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.
Social Distancing

A disease prevention strategy in which a community imposes limits on social (face-to-face) interaction to reduce exposure to and transmission of a disease. These limitations could include, but are not limited to, school and work closures, cancellation of public gatherings and closure or limited mass transportation.

Vaccine

An injection, usually of an innocuous (weak or killed) form of the virus, that stimulates the production of antibodies by the immune system to help prevent or create resistance to an infection. Vaccines are usually given as a preventive measure.

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