The Difference between Seasonal and Pandemic Flu

The Difference between Seasonal and Pandemic Flu

Seasonal flu is a highly contagious disease that is caused by influenza viruses. It occurs every year, typically in the fall and winter. Seasonal flu is predictable but its cyclic epidemics carry a substantial burden of illness and death. The virus adapts every year, causing new outbreaks that place a risk of complications in people with weak immune systems (e.g. elderly, young children, and immunocompromised) or with underlying conditions that increase the risk for complications (e.g. pregnancy, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, etc). The predictable nature of the virus genetic mutation allows for the development of annual vaccines against seasonal influenza. Annual flu vaccination plays a key role in protecting people from seasonal flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that everyone over the age of six months get an annual flu vaccination.

Pandemic flu is - by definition - related to an unpredicted genetic change of the virus resulting in a virus makeup for which the population has virtually no protection and that seasonal flu vaccines cannot protect from. Pandemic flu is - in essence - described as a rapid diffuse spread of a new flu virus throughout the world populations.


	SEASONAL FLU		PANDEMIC FLU

	Outbreaks follow predictable seasonal patterns; occurs annually, usually in winter, in temperate climates		Occurs rarely (three times in 20th century - last in 1968)

	Usually some immunity built up from previous exposure		No previous exposure; little or no pre-existing immunity

	Healthy adults usually not at risk for serious complications; the very young, the elderly and those with certain underlying health conditions at increased risk for serious complications		Healthy people may be at increased risk for serious complications

	Health systems can usually meet public and patient needs		Health systems may be overwhelmed

	Vaccine developed based on known flu strains and available for annual flu season		Vaccine probably would not be available in the early stages of a pandemic

	Adequate supplies of antivirals are usually available		Effective antivirals may be in limited supply

	Average U.S. deaths approximately 36,000/yr		Number of deaths could be quite high (e.g., U.S. 1918 death toll approximately 675,000)

	Symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, muscle pain. Deaths often caused by complications, such as pneumonia.		Symptoms may be more severe and complications more frequent

	Generally causes modest impact on society (e.g., some school closing, encouragement of people who are sick to stay home)		May cause major impact on society (e.g. widespread restrictions on travel, closings of schools and businesses, cancellation of large public gatherings)

	Manageable impact on domestic and world economy		Potential for severe impact on domestic and world economy

For additional information on seasonal flu visit: cdc.gov/flu.

Will an annual seasonal flu shot protect me against pandemic influenza?

	No, it won't protect you against pandemic influenza. But flu shots can help you to stay healthy.

	Get a flu shot to help protect yourself from the seasonal flu.

	Get a pneumonia shot to prevent secondary infection if you are over the age of 65 or have a chronic illness such as diabetes or asthma. For specific guidelines, talk to your healthcare provider or call The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hotline at 1-800-232-4636.

	Make sure that your family's immunizations are up-to-date.

More Information

	U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

	Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

	World Health Organization

	2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

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