 |
INFLUENZA FAQsHow is seasonal flu different
from pandemic flu?
Seasonal flu is yearly and regional
Seasonal flu is an annual phenomenon that occurs within a region or a locale such as a country.[8] In the United States, seasonal flu occurs each winter, generally between late December and early March.[5] Seasonal flu epidemics produce less illness than pandemic flu and result in fewer deaths because there is some immunity against the type of flu virus and vaccinations are effective in preventing illness.
Pandemic influenza is a worldwide outbreak of serious flu caused by a virulent strain of the flu virus. A pandemic flu occurs when:
- a new flu virus emerges and people have little or no immunity against it
- the flu virus infects humans and causes serious illness and death
- the virus spreads easily person-to-person[9]
Pandemic flu: Mortality rate could be considerable
The severity of disease and the number of deaths caused by a pandemic virus vary greatly and cannot be known prior to the emergence of the virus. However, during past pandemics, infection rates reached 25-35% of the total population.[10]
Mortality due to seasonal flu is a serious public health issue. For instance, between 1990-1999, in the United States, seasonal flu epidemics resulted in an average of 36,000 deaths each year.[3]
However, mortality due to pandemic flu has the potential to be “enormous.”[11] As an example, the 1918 pandemic flu killed at least 40 million people. In the United States, the mortality rate of people infected with the virus during that pandemic was around 2.5%.[10]
next: What is avian flu?
Important Safety Information About RELENZA
RELENZA IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TREATMENT OR PROPHYLAXIS OF INFLUENZA IN INDIVIDUALS WITH UNDERLYING AIRWAY DISEASE (SUCH AS ASTHMA OR CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE).
- Serious cases of bronchospasm, including fatalities, have been reported during treatment with RELENZA in patients with and without underlying airway disease. Many of these cases were reported during postmarketing, and causality was difficult to assess
- RELENZA SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED IN ANY PATIENT WHO DEVELOPS BRONCHOSPASM OR DECLINE IN RESPIRATORY FUNCTION; immediate treatment and hospitalization may be required
- Safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated in patients with high-risk underlying medical conditions
- Patients should be instructed in the use of the delivery system. Instructions should include a demonstration whenever possible
- If treatment with RELENZA is considered for a patient with underlying airway disease, the potential risks and benefits should be carefully weighed. If a decision is made to prescribe RELENZA for such a patient, this should be done only under conditions of careful monitoring of respiratory function, close observation, and appropriate supportive care including availability of fast-acting bronchodilators
- Common adverse events in treatment and prophylaxis studies with RELENZA were nausea, diarrhea, sinusitis, viral respiratory infections, headaches, nasal signs and symptoms. The incidence of these adverse events was similar in both groups for RELENZA and placebo-treated groups
- Please see complete Prescribing Information for RELENZA
|
|
The 1918 pandemic flu killed at least 40 million people worldwide. |
Sign Up for Updates 
