Influenza (Flu)
Seasonal, avian, and pandemic influenza are not the same.
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Seasonal Influenza
Seasonal (or common) flu is a viral respiratory illness that can be
transmitted person to person. Young healthy children, persons 65 years
of age and older, and persons of any age with certain medical conditions
are hospitalized with the flu because of severe complications. Annually,
36,000 people die with the flu in the U.S. Annual flu vaccines are
available.
Avian Influenza
Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds.
The risk from avian influenza is generally low to most people, because the viruses do not
usually infect humans.
Swine Influenza
Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by
type A influenza. This virus regularly leads to outbreaks of influenza
among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human
infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread
of swine flu viruses has been documented.
Pandemic Influenza
Pandemic flu is human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness.
Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person.
Currently, there is no pandemic flu.
