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  What is pandemic flu?Why have scientists been predicting a flu pandemic?When did the current flu pandemic begin?How serious is the next pandemic likely to be?Is the UK ready for a severe flu pandemic?How do flu viruses spread from one person to another?What are the symptoms of pandemic flu?Do seasonal flu vaccines work against pandemic flu?Do we have a vaccine to protect us from pandemic flu?Should I take antibiotics to treat pandemic flu?Is pandemic flu treatable?Do antiviral drugs prevent the spread of pandemic flu?Why is good hygiene so important during a pandemic?How can I protect my family from pandemic flu?How can I prepare my family?How can washing my hands help to protect me?How can I remove flu viruses from surfaces?What should I do if I develop flu symptoms during the pandemic?Where can I get advice during the flu pandemic?What is pandemic flu? Pandemic flu is a severe type of influenza - a viral disease of the respiratory system (nose, airways and lungs) - that spreads rapidly to affect people in most countries of the world. A pandemic (worldwide outbreak) occurs when an influenza virus emerges which is so different from previous flu strains that few people have any immunity to it. Why have scientists been predicting a flu pandemic? Flu pandemics are not new. They are naturally recurring events. In contrast to the seasonal flu outbreaks which happen every winter in the UK, flu pandemics occur infrequently- usually every few decades. There were three major flu pandemics during the last century. The most serious of these began in 1918.
New strains of flu virus are continually evolving, so it is inevitable that from time to time a new strain with the ability to spread from person to person will appear and spread rapidly around the world. Although flu pandemics can evolve from any type of influenza virus, the World Health Organisation grew particularly concerned about circulating strains of influenza A (H1N1) and avian influenza (H5N1) when they crossed the species barrier and started causing illness in humans. The World Health Organisation has closely monitored the situation and developed a global alert system to ensure the world is aware of the current risks. Click here to view the current state of alert. When did the current flu pandemic begin? The first flu pandemic of the 21st century (known as Pandemic (H1N1) 2009) began on 11 June 2009. It is caused by a new strain of swine influenza (see our Swine Flu Pandemic Guide), known as Influenza A (H1N1). Click here for the latest update from the World Health Organisation. How serious is this pandemic? All of the flu pandemics that happened during the last century affected large numbers of people, causing many deaths and huge economic and social disruption. We don't yet know exactly how serious this pandemic is. However, the World Health Organisation currently rates the severity of this pandemic as 'moderate' since most people appear to recover without the need for hospitalisation. However, there is a risk that the virus will mutate into a more dangerous form, making the pandemic much more severe. Experts predict that a severe pandemic could affect around 25 % of the population and cause many deaths. This could disrupt all our lives, forcing schools, nurseries and businesses to close, and putting extreme pressure on our health service. The World Health Organisation is closely monitoring the situation. Click here for the latest update from the World Health Organisation. Is the UK ready for a severe flu pandemic? Our government have been preparing for a severe flu pandemic for some time. They have created plans that will help everyone to protect themselves and to minimise disruption and loss of life. It includes arrangements for:
Click here to find out how our government has prepared and to read the 'National Framework for Responding to an Influenza Pandemic', which provides background information and advice to health and social care organisations who are developing response plans. Click here to access government advice on protecting yourself, your family, your home and your business during a flu pandemic. Click here to access advice for schools and childcare providers. How do flu viruses spread from one person to another? Human influenza viruses spread in tiny droplets, expelled from the mouth and nose of an infected person when they talk, cough or sneeze. You can get infected if you breathe in these droplets or if you touch someone or something that is contaminated with the virus (e.g. a used tissue or door handle), and then touch your nose or eyes. What are the symptoms of pandemic flu? Most people who have been infected during the current swine flu pandemic (Pandemic (H1N1) 2009) have had symptoms that are similar to seasonal flu. The symptoms often start abruptly within a few days of infection and include;
Some people may also have a sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. People of every age are at risk of catching pandemic flu. However, some people may catch the virus but not develop any symptoms. Others may develop complications like pneumonia and bronchitis, causing difficulty breathing and possibly death. However, the vast majority of cases reported so far in the UK have been mild, and most people have made a full recovery. Only a small number of people in the UK have developed serious illness and these people generally had underlying health problems, such as cancer, that had already weakened their immune systems. You can obtain more information about flu symptoms from www.nhs.uk or by telephoning the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513. Do seasonal flu vaccines work against pandemic flu? The vaccines for seasonal influenza are unlikely to provide any protection against the new pandemic flu virus. However, seasonal flu can be serious for some people, so it is important that anyone who is due to have a seasonal flu vaccine has one. Click here for information about seasonal flu vaccines from the NHS. Do we have a vaccine to protect us from pandemic flu? Scientists have been working as quickly as possible to develop a safe and effective vaccine against the new strain of Influenza A (H1N1) responsible for the current swine flu pandemic. The first doses should be available in the UK in October 2009 and will be given to those at greatest risk first. Click here for information about seasonal flu vaccines from the NHS. A human vaccine specific to the H5N1 virus is also available. The government has stockpiled over 3.3 million doses of this vaccine and health officials will advise on its use should an outbreak of H5N1 occur. However, if a pandemic flu virus arises which is substantially different to H5N1 or H1N1, a new vaccine would have to be developed. This could take many months. Should I take antibiotics to treat pandemic flu? You should only take antibiotics if your doctor prescribes them to you. Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria. They do not work against viruses. We cannot use antibiotics to treat pandemic flu or any other infection caused by a virus. However, people with viral infections sometimes develop serious complications caused by bacteria, such as pneumonia. In which case, they may need to take antibiotics to destroy the bacteria. Click here for information about using antibiotics from the Department of Health. Is pandemic flu treatable? Medicines called 'antivirals' do not provide a cure but can shorten the illness and reduce the risk of complications. Our government has built up enough stocks of these medicines to treat at least 50 % of the UK population. Click here for further information about antivirals. Do antiviral drugs prevent the spread of pandemic flu? Although scientists believe antiviral drugs may reduce the duration of symptoms, potentially helping to save lives, they will not stop a person from spreading the infection to others. Why is good hygiene so important during a pandemic? Human influenza viruses spread in tiny droplets, expelled from the mouth and nose of an infected person when they talk, cough or sneeze. You can get infected if you breathe in these droplets or if you touch someone or something that is contaminated with the virus (e.g. a used tissue or door handle), and then touch your nose or eyes. Good hygiene helps to stop flu viruses spreading and - since a vaccine won't be available until October 2009 - it is our main defence against pandemic flu. How can I protect my family from pandemic flu? The Department of Health recommends the following precautions to reduce the risk of catching or spreading influenza during a pandemic:
During the flu pandemic, lots of information will be available through leaflets, websites and the media telling you how you can protect yourself and your family and what to do if you think you are infected. Try to keep informed as the advice may change rapidly as the pandemic develops. How can I prepare my family? Make sure your children know how to wash their hands properly and how to cover their coughs and sneezes. This will help to protect them from pandemic flu and a wide range of other infections too. The NHS also advises you to:
Click here for more advice from the germ experts at Dettol. How can washing my hands help to protect me? Washing your hands frequently is the best way to protect yourself from a wide range of illnesses - not just pandemic flu. Everytime you touch something, germs can transfer to your hands. Touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands could transfer these germs from your hands into your body. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water, particularly after contact with people who are ill, will remove the germs and help stop them spreading to you and other people. Click here for advice about how and when you should wash your hands. How can I remove flu viruses from surfaces?
An infected person can spread germs to surfaces around them when they cough or sneeze, or touch them with unwashed hands or used tissues. Cleaning surfaces regularly can help to stop flu viruses spreading around your home, to you and other people. Cleaning surfaces with detergent and water can remove sufficient germs from an item provided you scrub all the surfaces and rinse them thoroughly with clean water. However, where proper rinsing is not possible (e.g. large or fixed surfaces such as kitchen worktops, toilet flushes and door handles) it is important to use a disinfectant to kill the germs. The most important surfaces to clean and disinfect are those that people often touch with their hands, such as; 
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces using products that destroy influenza viruses will give extra reassurance. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces regularly can help stop influenza viruses spreading around your home, to you and other people. Click here to find suitable disinfectants. Click here if you have any questions about using Dettol products. What should I do if I develop flu symptoms during the pandemic? If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu, stay at home and check your symptoms online using the National Pandemic Flu Service. Those who do not have online access can obtain the same service by:
You should telephone your GP directly if:
You can obtain more information about flu symptoms from www.nhs.uk or by telephoning the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513. Remember to use good hygiene at all times, and particularly while infectious. For adults this may be from the day before to five days after symptoms start. Children could be infectious for longer. Where can I get advice during the flu pandemic? During the pandemic, the government will keep you informed through the media with the most up to date help and advice. There will be announcements on the television, radio and in national newspapers. Information materials are available from your GP, pharmacies, and on the Department of Health and NHS websites. These tell you how to protect yourself and your family, and what to do if you develop flu symptoms. You can also get advice by telephoning the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513. As the pandemic develops and we learn more, the advice may change, so do keep checking the media for updates. |
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