Pandemic flu should not be confused with seasonal flu.

Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.

Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu.

Fact sheet on How Seasonal Flu Differs from Pandemic Flu: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/general/season_or_pandemic.html

Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals and Families: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/individual/checklist.html