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Seasonal Flu
What is seasonal flu?
Influenza (“flu”) is a virus that typically affects
the nose, throat, and lungs. The illness usually lasts between
three and seven days and symptoms include fever, headache,
cough, aches and sore throat.
Seasonal flu is a respiratory illness caused by an influenza
virus, which spreads easily from person to person. Following
are some key facts about seasonal influenza*:
- Each year about 10% of the population becomes ill with
seasonal flu.
- For most, the illness is unpleasant but not life threatening.
- The very young and those over 65 years old are at greater
risk of serious complications. So are those with:
- HIV/AIDS
- Cancer
- Other chronic conditions, such as kidney, lung or
heart disease
- Annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against
seasonal flu.
What is the difference between pandemic influenza and seasonal
influenza?
Seasonal outbreaks (epidemics) are caused by
subtypes of influenza viruses that are already in existence
among people, whereas pandemic outbreaks are caused by new
subtypes or by subtypes that have never circulated (spread)
among people or that have not circulated among people for
a long time. Past influenza pandemics have led to high levels
of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss.
Additional Information for Seasonal Flu
For more information about pandemic influenza, send us an email at fluinfo@sbcphd.org or phone 888-SBCoFlu (888-722-6358).
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