Flu Pandemic
or at the least a Flu Epidemic
Health care and emergency services workers who might help sick people during an influenza pandemic should take antiviral drugs throughout the flu epidemic In the UK at the time of writing health services are stretched to the limit (December 2008). Health experts throughout the world agree some sort of influenza pandemic is inevitable, although no one can predict when it might arrive and how severe. In the 1918 flu pandemic many young people as well as the elderly died of the Spanish flu virus so flu should not be taken lightly There are various strains of flu as well so it will not be possible to saywhat strain of flu might cause a flu pandemic. Patients whose immune systems are weak, such as cancer patients, should also take prophylactic antivirals. They would take these drugs before they actually get the flu to protect them. People working in health care as well as the emergency services who will be dealing with patients during an influenza pandemic should take antiviral drugs throughout the flu epidemic.
copyright askabouthealth 2006 - Flu Pandemic |
Planning and preparing for a flu pandemic requires action by every part of society, including individuals and families, communities, and private sector employers as well as all levels of government.