Pandemic Flu

What is seasonal flu?

Seasonal flu usually occurs during winter months. It is more serious than a cold and the symptoms are high temperatures, headaches and muscle pains. 

People with chronic conditions (e.g. asthma) and older people are most at risk of developing complications if they catch flu. This is why the seasonal flu vaccine is recommended to these groups within the community. 

What is pandemic flu?

A pandemic occurs when a new Flu virus, which people have no immunity to, emerges and starts spreading as easily as normal Flu. Unlike seasonal flu, Pandemic Flu can affect anyone. As we saw with Swine Flu it mainly affected the young.  

Further information on pandemic flu can be found on the government site: www.gov.uk/government/collections/pandemic-flu-public-health-response

Further information on Flu can be found on the NHS Choices website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/Flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx