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About pandemic flu (Source: NHSDirect)
Flu pandemics are natural events that occur from time to time. Last century, there were flu pandemics in 1918, 1957 and 1968, when millions of people died across the world. Experts predict that another pandemic may happen soon, but they do not know when. A pandemic is an epidemic of a disease that spreads quickly, and reaches many countries across the world. The symptoms of pandemic flu are more severe than those of ordinary flu, and there is therefore a higher risk of death. It is expected that an outbreak of pandemic flu will cause much more illness and more deaths than ordinary flu. For example, experts predict that in the UK: of the total population (about 59 million), around 14.5 million people could become ill, and at least 50,000 people could die. However, based on the information that is known about previous pandemics, it is very difficult to predict with any accuracy what will happen in the future. Flu viruses are always changing, and new strains emerge. If a flu virus appears that is very different from all of the others, most people will not have immunity (resistance) to it, and it may spread quickly and become a pandemic. Concerns have recently increased as a result of the spread of avian (bird) flu in Asia. A strain of flu that usually only affects birds has infected people and caused serious illness, and deaths. If this virus mixes with a human flu virus, a new flu virus may be created, which could potentially cause a pandemic. However, as yet, this has not occu ...
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Symptoms of pandemic flu (Source: NHSDirect)
The symptoms of pandemic flu may be similar to those of ordinary flu, but they are usually more severe. Symptoms may include: headache, sore throat, cough, fatigue , weakness, aching muscles, fever , and runny nose. Potentially, everyone is at risk from pandemic flu because few people, if any at all, will have immunity (resistance) to it. Certain groups are more at risk from ordinary flu including the very young, the over 65s, and those with existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, kidney , lung , or heart conditions. Also, people who are immunosuppressed (have a weakened immune system ) due to certain treatments, or illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS, are also more vulnerable to influenza. However, depending on the strain, this may not mean they are more at risk from pandemic flu. ...
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pandemic flu - Conventional Treatments (Source: NHSDirect)
Antiviral drugs are often used to reduce the effects of the flu, and to reduce the chance of the virus spreading. A stock of antiviral drugs is already being built up in the UK which should help if pandemic flu occurs. The amount of people that can be treated depends upon how much of the drug has been produced, and when the pandemic happens. The UK Government has drawn up an Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan to prepare for a possible pandemic. If a pandemic was to occur, it would have a big impact on NHS services, and our daily lives. The plan includes making sure that the NHS is prepared as much as it can be, and that treatment and immunisation would reach people as soon as possible. The plan aims to protect the public by keeping disruption, and the spread of the infection, to a minimum. ...
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News on pandemic flu
A Flu Pandemic Could Kill 62 Million (MedicineNet)
Survivors of 1918 Flu Pandemic Immune 90 Years Later (MedicineNet)
Nursing Homes Unprepared for Pandemic Flu Fallout (MedicineNet)
Public Would Cooperate in Flu Pandemic (MedicineNet)
New flu vaccine approach hopeful, Novavax says (ReutersHealth)

Further Reading on pandemic flu

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