TYPES OF FLU

What is Seasonal Flu?

‘Ordinary Flu’ Occurs every winter:

• Affects up to about 10% of the population.
• The very young
• Over 65 year olds are most at risk of serious illness

For the rest of the population, flu is unpleasant but not life threatening. A vaccine is available based on the currently circulating strains of flu virus. Anti-viral drugs are available to treat those at high risk.

How do people catch flu?

Influenza is a viral disease of the respiratory system (i.e. nose, throat, windpipe and lungs). It is highly infectious and can also cause complications such as pneumonia. The flu virus spreads from person to person through sneezing, coughing and from direct contact with the virus which may have settled on surfaces. The virus can survive for several hours in dried mucus which can be transferred from a sufferer's hands to door handles and other objects.

Crowds of people, poor hygiene, poor ventilation and closed windows can help to spread a virus. If you get flu, you will start to feel unwell one to four days after catching the virus from someone else.

Who is at risk?

Once a flu pandemic has started, everyone is at risk of catching the virus. Certain groups may be at greater risk than others; until the virus starts circulating we will not know who those higher risk groups will be. It is likely that people with immune problems due to illness or treatments will be at higher risk of getting the disease (inhaled steroids do not cause immune problems).

What is Pandemic Flu?

A pandemic is the name given to any disease that spreads rapidly to affect most countries around the world. Pan means all, demos means people.

Pandemic Flu is therefore influenza that spreads rapidly to affect most countries around the world.

This is due to the emergence of a new flu virus, which is markedly different from the recently circulating varieties of flu virus. It is unlikely that anyone has any immunity to this new virus. It is this factor that allows it to spread widely, easily, and to cause more serious illness.

Flu pandemics can occur at any time of the year, unlike the 'ordinary' flu that occurs every winter in the UK.

The first flu pandemic was recorded in 1580 and since then there is evidence of flu pandemics occurring every 10 to 30 years.

There have been three flu pandemics in the last century:

A serious pandemic is likely to affect as much as a quarter of the world’s population and cause a significant number of deaths, disrupting the lives of many people and causing intense pressure on health and other services.

Nobody can predict when the next pandemic will happen. When it does, it may come in two or more waves several months apart.

Each wave may last two to three months. Each pandemic is different, and until the virus starts circulating, it will be impossible to predict the full effects.

• Pandemic Flu Can occur at any time of the year.
• May affect about 25% or more of the population.
• The illness may be more severe in some groups but it is difficult to predict a specific group.
• A vaccine is unlikely to be available for at least 6 months after the start of the pandemic.
• Anti-viral drugs are in stock and will be used for treatment.

What can I do to help reduce my risk of catching pandemic flu:

• Effective hand hygiene reduces the spread of the virus from your hands to your face and to other people.
• Wash hands frequently by getting a good lather with water and liquid soap, rinse with running water and dry the hands thoroughly.
• Wash towels frequently.
• Teach children good basic hygiene practices.
• Clean and dry hard surfaces, e.g. door handles and work surfaces, frequently, with a general household detergent and water (bleach and other antibacterial products are not necessary).
• Cover your cough using a tissue and dispose of the tissue safely.
• There is no evidence that taking extra vitamins or other products will offer any protection against pandemic flu.

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