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FAQs

About the flu

Q：What is the difference among seasonal flu, avian flu and pandemic flu?
A：
  • Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. In Taiwan, yearly outbreaks of seasonal flu usually happen during the fall through early spring. It spreads from person-to-person and can cause mild to severe illness; and in some cases, can lead to death. Some groups, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are more likely to have complications from the seasonal flu. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.
  • Avian flu, or "bird flu", is a contagious disease caused by Influenza A viruses that normally infect only birds and, less commonly some mammals such as pigs. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian flu can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. Avian influenza viruses can be highly species-specific, but have, on occasions, crossed the species barrier to infect humans and other mammals. Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds.
  • Pandemic flu occurs when a new influenza virus emerges and starts spreading as easily as seasonal influenza – by coughing and sneezing. Because the virus is new, the human immune system will have no pre-existing immunity. This makes it likely that people who contract pandemic influenza will experience more serious disease than that caused by seasonal influenza. For example, novel H1N1 pandemic influenza, which virus was originated from swine flu, led to the 2009 pandemic and cause lots of diseases and deaths worldwide.

最後更新日期 2012/11/5