ABSTRACT

Pandemics have occurred throughout recorded history. On a scale of a human lifetime, pandemic infl uenza is a rarity, but no one seriously doubts that there will be another one. The last infl uenza pandemic that occurred was in 1968, the Hong Kong fl u. Infl uenza virus has survived throughout history by continuing to adapt through mutations. We have an infl uenza virus every year, which kills an average of 36,000 Americans, usually the very young, the very old, and the very sick. I strongly encourage everyone to get a fl u shot every year. You cannot get the fl u from a fl u shot. There is no live virus in the vaccine. While the fl u shot is unlikely to provide immunity to a pandemic infl uenza, it will most likely provide immunity to the seasonal varieties. Pandemic Infl uenza is different from seasonal infl uenza. The defi nitions of seasonal fl u, bird fl u, and pandemic fl u are noted below for your reference:

• Seasonal (or common) fl u is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can be transmitted from person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.