FACT SHEET
Pandemic Influenza
Influenza, often called the flu, is a respiratory disease
caused by a virus. In the United States, the flu is an
annual event that begins in December and ends in March.
This type of flu is called Seasonal Flu. Rarely, a new
type of flu virus may appear that people have not been
exposed to before, so they have no natural resistance
to it. This type of virus could cause a flu more serious
than a seasonal or “typical” flu. This flu
is called Pandemic Flu. This type of flu spreads easily
from person to person around the world in a very short
time and causes serious illness and deaths.
Currently, experts have discovered a new type of flu
virus that has infected and killed many birds. This virus
causes a flu called Avian or Bird Flu. In Asia and Turkey
infected birds (domesticated chickens, ducks and turkeys)
have transmitted the bird flu to humans causing illness
and sometimes death. Although there has been no sustained
human-to-human transmission, there has been growing concern
that a flu pandemic could occur. Unlike the seasonal flu,
pandemic flu infects large numbers of people of all ages,
causing serious illness and deaths. Whether or not a flu
pandemic actually occurs, you can prepare by knowing the
facts about the flu and how to respond to it.
The symptoms of the bird flu, which are similar to those
of the seasonal flu, are:
• Diarrhea;
• Extreme tiredness;
• Headache;
• Body ache;
• Cough;
• Sore throat;
• Fever and chills;
• Runny or stuffy nose.
Contact your health care provider if you have any questions
about your specific symptoms.
You can make good hygiene a habit and take other actions
to prevent the spread of germs, including:
• Washing your hands with soap and water or cleaning
them with a hand sanitizer.
• Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when
you cough or sneeze, and cleaning your hands afterwards.
Use soap and water or a hand sanitizer.
• Staying home if you are sick. Get plenty of rest
and drink a lot of fluids.
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
• Keeping your living and work areas clean.
During a flu pandemic, public health officials may impose
community-level restrictions to prevent the flu virus
from spreading. You may be asked to stay home for an extended
period of time even though you are not sick. Schools,
workplaces and places of worship may be closed temporarily
and mass transportation such as subways, trains and air
travel may be limited.
You can prepare for a flu pandemic now. These actions
may lessen the impact of a flu pandemic on you and your
family —
• Store extra supplies of water and food.
• Ask your doctor and insurance company if you
can get an extra supply of your regular prescription drugs.
• Store a supply of non-prescription drugs such
as pain relievers, cough and cold medicines, stomach remedies,
fluids with electrolytes and vitamins.
• Store health supplies such as bleach, tissues,
a thermometer, disposable gloves, soap and alcohol-based
hand cleaners.
• Talk with family members and loved ones about
how they would be cared for if they got sick.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Red
Cross Home Care For Pandemic Flu Guide
Knox
County Health Department
www.pandemicflu.gov
