What is Pandemic Influenza?
What is influenza? Influenza, or the “flu,” is a common respiratory disease caused by a virus. Every year, the flu virus causes outbreaks in fall and winter. This is because each year, the flu virus changes a little so the protection, or immunity, our bodies have built up against previous viruses is not as effective. The flu spreads easily from person to person through coughing and sneezing and hands touching your eyes, mouth or nose. Flu symptoms can appear suddenly and include a fever, cough, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, a runny nose and a sore throat. The worst symptoms usually last about five days, but coughing can last up to two to three weeks. Sometimes children with the flu can have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Although colds and other viruses may cause similar symptoms, influenza weakens a person more than other viruses. About 20 per cent of persons infected will not have any symptoms. In others, symptoms can be mild to severe. However, if infected, very young children, peo
Pandemic influenza is influenza that spreads rapidly to affect almost all countries and regions around the world. Influenza pandemics occur when a new strain of influenza virus appears that most people have no immunity to. Influenza pandemics generally affect more people, can cause more severe illness, and could result in much more serious disruption to society than the “ordinary” influenza we see in Canada each winter.
