Pandemic Flu Facts
- Pandemic flu is a human flu that causes a global outbreak of illness. Because the virus is new and there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person.
- On average, pandemics occur about every 30 to 40 years. Three pandemics occurred in the previous century: “Spanish influenza” in 1918, “Asian influenza” in 1957, and “Hong Kong influenza” in 1968. The most recent is the outbreak of novel H1N1 influenza in 2009.
- Because most people will have no immunity to the pandemic virus, infection and illness rates during a pandemic are expected to be higher than those during seasonal outbreaks of normal flu.
- Pandemic flu is spread similarly to seasonal flu, from person to person through sneezing and coughing or through contact with objects such as doorknobs, eating utensils and telephones that are contaminated with flu viruses.
- Since the flu is a viral infection, antibiotics are not an effective form of treatment. Antibiotics are, however, useful in treating secondary bacterial infections that can result from or occur with the flu.
Preventing the Flu
Ways to prevent catching and spreading the flu include:
- Clean your hands often with soap and warm water or alcohol-based hand cleaners. Avoid touching your eyes, nose
or mouth.
- Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough then put used tissue in the waste basket. If a tissue is not available, then sneeze or cough into the inside of your elbow, not your hand.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick and keep your distance or stay home if you are sick.
Health information products (brochures, posters, etc.) on influenza are available online in the USAPHC Health Information Products eCatalog.
Resources - Pandemic Influenza Guidance, Recommendations and Policies
Government Resources
Clinical
DoD
General/Family Members
Additional Information on Pandemic Flu
Non-Government Resources
Sources: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Flu.gov; World Health Organization