The differences between seasonal flu and pandemic influenza

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA:

n Comes from a novel virus to which hardly any have immunity

n Attack rate may be as high as 30 percent of population

n Patients are sicker for a longer period of time

n Limited vaccine availability

n May be resistant to some antivirals

n Excess mortality

n Patients may present with primary viral pneumonia

n May be severe in all ages

n Can occur at any time of the year

n May have more than one wave of illness

n Spreads rapidly throughout the world

SEASONAL FLU