 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
  What is pandemic flu?Why do scientists predict a flu pandemic?When will the next flu pandemic begin?How serious is the next pandemic likely to be?Is India ready for a flu pandemic?How do flu viruses spread from one person to another?What are the symptoms of pandemic flu?Do seasonal flu vaccines work against pandemic flu?Do we have a vaccine to protect us from pandemic flu?Should I take antibiotics to treat pandemic flu?Will pandemic flu be treatable?Will antiviral drugs prevent the spread of pandemic flu?Why will good hygiene be so important during a pandemic?How can I protect my family from pandemic flu?How can I prepare my family?How can washing my hands help to protect me?How can I remove flu viruses from surfaces?What should I do if I develop flu symptoms during a pandemic?Where will I be able to get advice during a flu pandemic?What is pandemic flu? Pandemic flu is a severe type of influenza - a viral disease of the respiratory system (nose, airways and lungs) - that spreads rapidly to affect people in most countries of the world. A pandemic (worldwide outbreak) occurs when an influenza virus emerges which is so different from previous flu strains that few people have any immunity to it. Flu pandemics are not new. They are naturally recurring events. In contrast to the seasonal flu outbreaks which happen every winter in India, flu pandemics occur infrequently- usually every few decades. There were three major flu pandemics during the last century. The most serious of these began in 1918.
Why do scientists predict a flu pandemic? New strains of flu virus are continually evolving, so it is almost inevitable that a new strain with the ability to spread from person to person will eventually appear and spread rapidly around the world. Although a flu pandemic could evolve from any type of influenza virus, scientists are particularly concerned about the strains of influenza A (H1N1) and avian influenza (H5N1) that are currently circulating, because they have already crossed the species barrier to cause disease in humans. Click here for the latest update from the World Health Organisation. When will the next flu pandemic begin? There is no way to determine when the next flu pandemic will begin. However, the World Health Organisation believes that a new flu virus, able to spread quickly around the world, is likely to emerge very soon. It could appear at any time of year, not necessarily within the usual flu season, and once the new virus reaches India, it could spread throughout the country within a matter of weeks. The World Health Organisation is continuously monitoring the situation and has developed a global alert system that signals how serious the risk of a flu pandemic is. Click here to view the current state of alert. How serious is the next pandemic likely to be? All of the flu pandemics that happened during the last century affected large numbers of people, causing many deaths and huge economic and social disruption. We won't know exactly how serious the next pandemic will be until it begins. However, experts predict that the virus could affect around 25 % of the population and that it will cause many deaths. The pandemic could disrupt all our lives, forcing schools, nurseries and businesses to close, and putting extreme pressure on our health service. Is India ready for a flu pandemic? Our government have been preparing for a flu pandemic for some time. They have created plans that they will put into action in the event of a pandemic. These plans will help everyone to protect themselves and to minimise disruption and loss of life. It includes arrangements for:
Click here to find out how our government is preparing and to read the 'National Framework for Responding to an Influenza Pandemic', which provides background information and advice to health and social care organisations who are developing response plans. Click here to access government advice on preparing yourself, your family, your home and your business for a flu pandemic. Click here to access advice for schools and childcare providers. How do flu viruses spread from one person to another? Human influenza viruses spread in tiny droplets, expelled from the mouth and nose of an infected person when they talk, cough or sneeze. You can get infected if you breathe in these droplets or if you touch someone or something that is contaminated with the virus (e.g. a used tissue or door handle), and then touch your nose or eyes. What are the symptoms of pandemic flu? The symptoms may be similar to seasonal flu but are likely to be more severe and cause more deaths. Symptoms may start abruptly within a few days of infection and include:
People of every age will be at risk of catching pandemic flu. However, some people may catch the virus but not develop any symptoms. Others may develop complications like pneumonia and bronchitis, causing difficulty breathing and possibly death. Scientists predict that one in four of us will be ill - but we won't really know how severe the illness will be until the pandemic starts. Do seasonal flu vaccines work against pandemic flu? The vaccines for seasonal influenza are unlikely to provide any protection against a new pandemic flu virus. However, seasonal flu can be serious for some people, so it is important that anyone who is due to have a seasonal flu vaccine has one. As a precautionary measure, the NHS offers free seasonal influenza immunisation to those who work in close contact with poultry. A new pandemic flu virus could form if the bird flu and human flu viruses were to mix. Giving the flu jab to poultry workers will protect them from seasonal flu and may help to stop the viruses mixing. Click here for information about seasonal flu vaccines from the NHS. Do we have a vaccine to protect us from pandemic flu? A human vaccine specific to the H5N1 virus is available. The government has stockpiled over 3.3 million doses of this vaccine and health officials will advise on its use should an outbreak of H5N1 occur. However, if a new pandemic flu virus arises which is substantially different to H5N1, it is unlikely that the H5N1 vaccine would be effective, and a new vaccine would have to be developed. This could take many months. Should I take antibiotics to treat pandemic flu? You should only take antibiotics if your doctor prescribes them to you. Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria. They do not work against viruses. We cannot use antibiotics to treat pandemic flu or any other infection caused by a virus. However, people with viral infections sometimes develop serious complications caused by bacteria, such as pneumonia. In which case, they may need to take antibiotics to destroy the bacteria. Click here for information about using antibiotics from the Department of Health. Will pandemic flu be treatable? Medicines called 'antivirals' do not provide a cure but may possibly shorten the illness and reduce the risk of complications. Our government has built up enough stocks of these medicines to treat at least 50 % of India population. However, we don't yet know how well these drugs will work or who might benefit most from taking them. As the pandemic develops, we will learn whether these drugs are effective and how best to use them. The government will then issue advice about obtaining and using these drugs. Will antiviral drugs prevent the spread of pandemic flu? Although scientists believe antiviral drugs may reduce the duration of symptoms, potentially helping to save lives, they will not stop a person from spreading the infection to others. Why will good hygiene be so important during a pandemic? Human influenza viruses spread in tiny droplets, expelled from the mouth and nose of an infected person when they talk, cough or sneeze. You can get infected if you breathe in these droplets or if you touch someone or something that is contaminated with the virus (e.g. a used tissue or door handle), and then touch your nose or eyes. Good hygiene helps to stop flu viruses spreading and - since a vaccine may not be available at the start of a pandemic - it will be our main defence against pandemic flu. How can I protect my family from pandemic flu? The Department of Health recommends the following precautions to reduce the risk of catching or spreading influenza during a pandemic:
Should a flu pandemic occur, more information will be available through leaflets, websites and the media. This will tell you how you can protect yourself and your family and what to do if you think you are infected. How can I prepare my family? Make sure your children know how to wash their hands properly and how to cover their coughs and sneezes. By getting them into a regular routine now, they will be better equipped for the pandemic and protected from a wide range of other infections too. Click here for more advice from the germ experts at Dettol. How can washing my hands help to protect me? Washing your hands frequently is the best way to protect yourself from a wide range of illnesses - not just pandemic flu. Everytime you touch something, germs can transfer to your hands. Touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands could transfer these germs from your hands into your body. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water, particularly after contact with people who are ill, will remove the germs and help stop them spreading to you and other people. Click here for advice about how and when you should wash your hands. How can I remove flu viruses from surfaces?
An infected person can spread germs to surfaces around them when they cough or sneeze, or touch them with unwashed hands or used tissues. Cleaning surfaces regularly can help to stop flu viruses spreading around your home, to you and other people. Cleaning surfaces with detergent and water can remove sufficient germs from an item provided you scrub all the surfaces and rinse them thoroughly with clean water. However, where proper rinsing is not possible (e.g. large or fixed surfaces such as kitchen worktops, toilet flushes and door handles) it is important to use a disinfectant to kill the germs. The most important surfaces to clean and disinfect are those that people often touch with their hands, such as;
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces using products that destroy influenza viruses will give extra reassurance. Click here to find suitable disinfectants. Click here if you have any questions about using Dettol products. What should I do if I develop flu symptoms during a pandemic? If you develop flu symptoms:
If a pandemic begins, the government will issue clear advice on when, where and how to seek medical advice and treatment. Where will I be able to get advice during a flu pandemic? In the event of a pandemic, the government will keep you informed through the media with the most up to date help and advice. There will be announcements on the television, radio and in national newspapers. Information materials will also be available from your GP, pharmacies, and on the Department of Health website. These will tell you how to protect yourself and your family, and what to do if you develop flu symptoms. A National Flu Telephone Helpline, providing advice about pandemic influenza, will also be available. As the pandemic develops and we learn more about the new virus, the advice may change, so you will need to keep checking the media for updates. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
