Some of the differences between pandemic and ordinary influenza are listed in the following table.
What is the difference between pandemic influenza and ordinary influenza?
| ORDINARY INFLUENZA | PANDEMIC INFLUENZA |
|---|---|
| Occurs every year during the winter | Occurs about three times each century—at any time of the year |
| Affects up to 10 per cent of the population | May affect 15 to 35 per cent of the population |
| For most people, it is an unpleasant but not life-threatening infection, but can be life threatening for those with high-risk conditions. | It is a more serious infection for everyone. |
| The very young, the very old and people with certain chronic illnesses are most at risk of serious illness. | People of every age may be at risk of serious illness. |
| Annual immunization is available for those at risk of serious illness. | A vaccine won't be available at the beginning of a pandemic. When it does become available, the aim will be to immunize the whole population as rapidly as possible as soon as vaccine supplies become available. |
| Antiviral drugs are available to treat those at special risk. | Antiviral drugs are likely to be in limited supply and will have to be used for key groups of people: for example, treatment of individuals ill with influenza, health-care workers, and essential care workers required to care for the sick and keep the province running. |