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City of Hamilton
Questions and Answers - Pandemic Influenza
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What is a Flu Pandemic? |
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A pandemic is a rapidly-spreading outbreak of a disease that affects most countries and regions of the world. Pandemics occur when a virus emerges that is so different from previously circulating strains that our body does not know how to fight it. |
What is the difference between flu pandemic and ordinary or seasonal flu?
| Ordinary or Seasonal Flu |
Pandemic Flu |
| Occurs every year during the winter |
Occurs about three times each century – at any time of the year |
| For most people it is an unpleasant but not life threatening infection |
It is a more serious infection for everyone |
| Most people recover within one or two weeks without requiring medical treatment |
Some people will not recover event with medical treatment. Due to the higher severity of illness, there is greater risk of death |
| The very young, the very old and people with chronic illness are most at risk of serious illness |
People of every age may be at risk of serious illness |
| Vaccine is available in advance |
Vaccine will not be available when the pandemic start. |
| Antiviral drugs are available to treat those at special risk |
Antiviral drugs are likely to be in limited supply and will have to be used to best effect according to how the disease develops |
How likely am I to catch the Flu Pandemic?
Your are more likely to catch it than ordinary flu because it spreads rapidly and very few people will have any immunity to it. Everyone will be at risk. Some people are at more risk than others, but every pandemic is different, so until the virus starts’ spreading it is very difficult to predict who will get the flu pandemic.
How is the Flu Pandemic spread?
Flu pandemic is spread when droplets containing the virus come into contact with another person’s mouth, nose, or eyes through coughing or sneezing. Flu also spreads when people touch surfaces which have recently been in contact with the virus and then touch their face.
What are the symptoms of Flu Pandemic?
When you catch the flu it is sudden and hits hard. Symptoms of the flu include fever, muscle pain and weakness, headaches, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea and vomiting (seen especially in children).
Will there be a vaccine available for a Flu Pandemic?
A vaccine against a flu pandemic cannot be developed until the flu pandemic virus has been identified. This will take four to five months to be developed. The flu pandemic vaccine will initially be in short supply.
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Links:Pandemic Influenza home page
How will a Pandemic effect Hamilton?
Preparing for a Pandemic
Preventing the Spread of Influenza
Index?
Contact informationPhone: 905-546-2424
Email: publichealth@hamilton.ca
Last updated: July 10, 2007
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