JasCoFlu is a project of the Jasper County, Missouri Pandemic Influenza Planning Committee.

Seasonal vs. Pandemic

Seasonal Flu:
Occurs every year during winter months

Affects 5-20 percent of the U.S. population

Globally, kills 500,000-1 million people each year, 36,000-40,000 in the U.S.

Deaths generally confined to "at risk" groups, such as the elderly, the young, & those with existing medical conditions

Vaccination is effective because the virus strain in circulation each winter can be fairly reliably predicted

Antiviral drugs are generally available for those most at risk of serious illnesses

Pandemic Flu:
Occurs 3-4 times a century and can take place in any season. May come in "waves" of flu activity that could be separated by months

Experts predict an infection rate of 25-50 percent of the population, depending on the severity of the virus strain

The worst pandemic of the last century the "Spanish flu" of 1918 killed 500,000 in the U.S. and 50 million worldwide

All age groups may be at risk for infection, not just "at risk" groups

A vaccine against pandemic flu may not be available at the start of of the pandemic. New strains of viruses must be accurately identified before a vaccine can be produced

Antiviral drugs may be in limited supply and their effectiveness will only be known definitively once the pandemic is underway

Pandemic Flu Symptoms:
Similar to seasonal, but can be more severe. Might also include:
--Eye infections and light sensitivity;
--Increase in life threatening complications like pneumonia
or acute respiratory disease;
--Diarrhea

Seasonal Flu Symptoms:
--Cough
--Fatigue
--Sore Throat
--Stuffy or runny nose
--Fever
--Headache
--Muscle Aches