This flu season (2009-2010), there are more uncertainties than usual because of the emergency of a new 2009 HlNl (swine) flu virus.

Flu Viruses

There are three types of flu viruses A,B and C.  The A and B viruses cause epidemics (widespread outbreaks in a country) of infection in people evey year in the United States.

Type C infetions cause mild respiratory illness and are not thought to cause epidemics.

Type A viruses are divided into subtypes. Subtypes of type A that have been  found in people worldwide include HlNl, HlN2, and H3N2 viruses.

Flu viruses are constantly chainging. A global flu pandemic (worlwide outbreak) can happen if three conditions are met:

A new subtype of type A virus is introduced into the human population.

The virus causes serious illness in humans.

The virus can spread easily from person- to-person in a sustained manner.

Is it a  Cold or the Flu?

Flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses.

Flu and the common cold have similar symptoms (e.g. fever, sore throat). It can be difficult to tell the difference between them.

In general, the flu is worse that the common cold.

Symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and sry cough are more common and intense with the flu.

Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose.

Colds generally  do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitaliztions.

Seasonal Flu – Vaccination.

Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu. You need two vaccines to be fully protected this year. The seasonal flu vaccine is different from the HlNl (swine) flu vaccine. The recommendation is to get both vaccinations. Get the seasonal vaccination as soon as possible and get the HlNl (swine) flu vaccination as soon as it is available in early fall.

Global  Flu Impact

On june 11, 2009 the WHO (world health organization) declared a global pandemic of HlNl(swine) flu is underway by the worldwide pandemic alert level to phase 6.

More than  70 countries have reported cases of HlNl (swine) flu infection.

Facts About Vaccination

The seasonal flu vaccine and the HlNl (swine) flu vaccine are separate injetions. A seasonal vaccine is distributed routninely every year, while the HlNl (swine) flu vaccine is in development  for the fall of 2009.

The seasonal flu is still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. Individuals are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as  soon  as it is available.

The seasonal vaccine is not expected to protect against  the  HlNl (swine) flu and the HlNl (swine) flu vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. Each is intended to be  used along-side one another.

It is anticipated that seasonal flu HlNl (swine) flu vaccines may be administered on the same day. However, it is likely that the seasonal vaccine wil be available earlier than the HlNl(swine) flu vaccine.

WHAT IS FLU?

The right name is Influenza (called flu); is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.
Symptoms: The symptoms for all flu, including HlNl (swine) flu, are similar. They include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, and chills.

Symptoms of  Flu

Seasonal Flu: All types of flu can cause: Fever, coughing and or sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and or body  aches, chills, fatigue.

HlNl (swine) Flu: same as seasonal flu, but symptoms may be more severe. Fever, coughing and or sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and or body aches, chills, fatigue. in addition sometimes, vomiting and diarrhea.

H5Nl (Bird Flu)

(Bird) Flu remains a serious concern with the potential to cause a deadly pandemic, H5Nl (Bird) flu is an influenza A virus subtype that is highhlycontagious among birds. Rare but lethal human infections with the H5Nl (Bird) flu virus have occured.

What is H5Nl (Bird) Flu?

The H5Nl (Bird) flu virus does not usually infect people, but rare infections with these viruses have occurred in humans. Nearly all human cases have resulted from people having direct or close contact with H5Nl infected poultry or H5Nl- contaminated surfaces.

Symptoms of the H5Nl (Bird) flu virus in humans have ranged from typical human influenza-like symptoms (e. g. fever, caugh, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening compications. The symptoms of H5Nl (Bird) flu may depend on wich virus caused the infection.

Emergency Warning Signs

If you develop any of the following signs, seek emergency medical care.

* Difficulty  breathing or shortness of breath.

* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

* Sudden dizziness

* Confusion

* Severe or persistent vomiting

* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.

How Flu Spreads: Influenza viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing.
Prevention: The single best way to prevent the flu is to set a flu vaccination each fall.
Who Should Get Vaccinated? : Anyone who wants to reduce their chances of setting the flu can get vaccinated.