Quick Reference |
| Influenza (Flu) Pandemic: a global outbreak of an influenza virus, usually a new strain to which people have little or no immunity, causing a serious illness that spreads easily from person-to-person with no flu vaccine readily available to prevent or treat it. |
| Pandemic Influenza (Flu): 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. |
| Seasonal Influenza (Flu): a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. In the U.S., there is a "flu season" that begins every fall and ends every spring or "seasonally." Most people have some immunity and a vaccine is available, but it still affects an average of 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population, causing mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death. |
| Vaccine: an injection that stimulates an immune response that can prevent an infection or create resistance to an infection. Vaccines are usually given as a preventive measure. |
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Learning the Facts
influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory disease caused by viruses.
In the United States, there is a flu season that begins every fall and ends every spring. The type of flu people get during this season is called seasonal flu.
Sometimes, a new type of flu virus may emerge to which the general public has no resistance. The lack of immunity enables the virus to spread quickly and easily from person to person impacting communities around the world in a very short time, causing serious illness and death. This kind of flu is called pandemic flu.
The exact symptoms of pandemic flu are unknown. However, the CDC notes that symptoms are expected to be similar to those of seasonal flu, which include:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Extreme fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle aches and pains
- Stomach problems, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)
Research suggests that it may take two to seven days to show symptoms when a person catches the flu, and the symptoms may last for up to a week.
A person infected with the flu may transmit the flu for one to two days before they have symptoms, and for five to seven days after symptoms begin.
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Contact a health care provider if you have any questions about specific symptoms. |
Why the concern over pandemic flu?
Pandemic flu is more serious than seasonal flu. Most people who get seasonal flu recover within a week or two and usually do not require medical treatment. Pandemic flu is different because more people who get it might not recover, even with medical treatment, and people of every age may be at risk of serious illness or death.
Who is more at risk?
The very young, the very old and the very sick are most likely to become seriously ill from any form of the flu virus.
What about a vaccine?
Unlike seasonal flu, there is no vaccine for pandemic flu until researchers and pharmaceutical companies are able to create one, which takes time. Even if a vaccine is developed for the pandemic flu, it will be a challenge to manufacture and dispense the vaccine to everyone in a timely manner.
When will this happen? Can I do something now?
Scientists cannot accurately predict whether the avian influenza virus (H5N1) will cause the next human pandemic flu or when the next pandemic will occur.
The best way to protect yourself and others is to practice healthy hygiene to keep you well now and during a flu pandemic. Practicing these actions now will make them easier to do later. These actions include washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home when you are sick to slow the spread of illness.
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