People with chronic health conditions like asthma and COPD are at special risk from pandemic flu. AANMA can help you plan today for tomorrow’s pandemic.

Flu Terms To Know

Seasonal flu is a generic term used to describe symptoms from one of the many influenza viruses, which change every year. Seasonal flu is transmitted person-to-person. Most people have some immunity to viruses, and vaccines are available.

Avian (or bird) flu occurs naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl (like chickens and turkeys) and in recent cases has been transmitted from birds to humans. There is no natural human immunity and no human available vaccine.

Pandemic flu is a global outbreak of flu disease that occurs when a new type of influenza virus appears that people have not been exposed to before (or have not been exposed to in a long time). The virus spreads quickly from person to person.

AANMA Resources

Pandemic Flu: A Guide for Families with Allergies and Asthma (PDF)

Managing Pandemic Flu: What you CAN do! (PDF)

Family Matters: Flu Preparedness at Home (PDF)

Other Links

PandemicFlu.gov

"HHS Unveils Two New Efforts to Advance Pandemic Flu Preparedness," Press Release, February 1, 2007

"U.S. not scared enough of bird flu, Senate told," Washingtonpost.com, January 25, 2007

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