Pandemic Flu by Meredith Keymel

Pandemic Influenza is NOT your seasonal flu; the health complications are much more serious. Even with medical treatment, some people who have the illness may not recover and sometimes the result is death.

Pandemic flu is a global outbreak of a new subtype or a subtype that has not circulated among people in a long time. Because of this, the general public has no immunity to the virus, which makes transmission from person-to-person happen quick and easy. Large populations all over the world become infected in virtually no time at all.

The major setback is that vaccinations for pandemic flu do not exist. Researches work diligently to identify and understand the viruses that cause this flu, but to no avail. Even when a vaccine does become available though, the new challenge will be producing enough for everyone in need and distributing it to them in a timely manner.

The severity of pandemic flu varies, which we know from past outbreaks. In 1918, the Spanish flu caused high levels of illness, death, social disruption and economic loss. Nearly 20 million people worldwide died due to this pandemic, including roughly 500,000 Americans. This was a severe case. Less severe examples include the Asian and Hong Kong flu pandemics in 1957 and 1968, which only had minor impacts.

Researchers and scientists are unable to predict when the next pandemic might occur and what the severity of that pandemic will be, which is why it is so important for people to educate themselves. Know the symptoms of pandemic flu, how to protect yourself from getting it and how to lessen the impact if you do become ill.

THE SYMPTOMS…

The exact symptoms of pandemic flu are unknown, but are expected to be similar to those of seasonal flu. Look for:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Runny/Stuffy nose
• Extreme tiredness
• Headache
• Muscle aches & pains
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SEASONAL FLU & PANDEMIC FLU…

Cause:

Seasonal: Caused by flu viruses similar to those already circulating among people.

Pandemic: Caused by a new flu virus people have never been exposed to before. More severe, affects more people and causes more illness & deaths than seasonal flu because people have no immunity to it.

Symptoms:

Seasonal: fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose & muscle pain.

Pandemic: Symptoms similar to seasonal flu but more severe & complications more serious.

Complications:

Seasonal: Deaths can be caused by complications to seasonal flu, such as pneumonia. Healthy adults are usually not at risk for serious complications. The very young, the elderly and those with other health issues are at increased risk for serious complications.

Pandemic: Healthy people may be at increased risk for serious complications.

Impact on Society:

Seasonal: Modest impact on society (i.e. some school closings, encouragement of sick people to stay home).

FYI - Every year in the United States on average:

• 5% - 20% of the population gets the flu
• More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications
• About 36,000 people die from the flu.

Pandemic: Effects are more damaging. Could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption and economic loss. Everyday life could be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.

PROTECT YOURSELF…

1. Strengthen Your Immune System. Preventing illness begins with taking care of your body. Help yourself out and promote a healthy immune system by getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing stress, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious food.
    
2. Avoid Sharing Objects. This includes utensils, cups, bottles, telephones, etc. Sharing these types of objects also means sharing germs. Disinfect these things and others like them, before using.
    
3. Wash Your Hands. Greatly reduce the risk of spreading influenza during a pandemic by washing and disinfecting hands (at least 15 seconds to kill germs). Keep hands away from eyes, nose and mouth, where germs enter the body. Practice healthy hand hygiene all year round, in good health and in bad, to prevent the spread of any infections.
    
4. Cover Your Mouth. Since influenza spreads with respiratory aerosols generated by coughing and sneezing, take proper precautions by covering your mouth with a tissue or your shirt sleeve. If using your hands to shield the cough or sneeze, be sure to wash them immediately afterward.
    
5. Get Vaccinated. Although annual influenza vaccines do not specifically target the pandemic strain, they may reduce the severity of the disease during a pandemic and prevent the contraction of seasonal flu during a pandemic. Vaccines targeting the actual pandemic strain may not be available until 3-6 months after the first signs of outbreak.
    
6. Make a Disaster Plan. Prepare yourself and your family for the kinds of disruptions in services and activities that may occur during a pandemic. They include, but are not limited to: quarantines, severe decreases in the number of blood donors, large spikes in the number of people seeking medical attention, which overwhelms health services, high rates of worker absenteeism, which could negatively affect law enforcement agencies, transportation and communications, etc.
    
7. Learn About Home Health Care. Those who contract influenza can be cared for at home, making it likely, that many of us will be caring for ill family members during a pandemic. Know beforehand how to manage and care for those sick family members. Have these supplies on hand to help with care giving: thermometer, soap and water, alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60 – 95% alcohol), box of disposable gloves, Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, nonprescription cough and cold medicines, bleach and other cleaning supplies, paper towels, tissues and masks (surgical and N-95).
    
8. Practice "Social Distancing." People in close proximity are prime targets for contracting influenza during a pandemic. Three ways to reduce the risk are avoiding crowds, keeping 3-5 feet apart, avoiding direct contact, and most important, STAYING HOME IF YOU HAVE OR ARE EXHIBITING SYMPTOMS OF INFLUENZA!

CARING FOR SOMEONE ELSE WHO IS SICK…

• Designate one person as the caregiver, to prevent the spread through the household.
• Keep everyone's personal items separate. Avoid sharing any items unless washed/disinfected between uses.
• Disinfect commonly touched objects/surfaces such as doorknobs, switches, handles, computers, telephones, toys, etc.
• Wash clothes and dishes as normal. The sick person's items do not need to be separated from the others, but the person handling the dirty laundry and dishes should wash their hands immediately afterward.
• Wear disposable gloves when in contact with or cleaning up bodily fluids.

Refer to #7 under "Protecting Yourself" for a list of recommended caregiving supplies to keep handy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION…

Please contact any of the following for more information regarding pandemic flu:

• National American Red Cross
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• New York State Health Department
• Cortland County Health Department