Influenza is due to infection with a respiratory virus that is transmitted from person-to-person through close contact. Pandemic influenza occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges which is markedly different from recently circulating subtypes and strains, and is able to:

• Infect humans
• Spread efficiently from person to person
• Cause significant illness in a high proportion of those infected

Certain patient groups are particularly vulnerable to influenza including the elderly (over 65 years), those with chronic respiratory disease (including asthma), chronic heart, renal and neurological disease, diabetes and immunosuppression, pregnancy and those in long-stay residential nursing homes

The most important routes of transmission are by large droplet and indirect contact. Airborne, or fine droplet transmission, may also occur, particularly during aerosol-generating procedures

Transmission from person to person occurs through sneezing, coughing or touching contaminated surfaces. Use of tissues when coughing or sneezing and scrupulous attention to hand washing are important infection control measures, to reduce the potential spread of infection

When caring for patients that may be suffering from flu, standard infection control principles will be applied including isolating the patient and correctly using and disposing of gloves, plastic apron and surgical mask.

In certain circumstances, these control measures may need to be increased to a higher level of protection when performing coughing-inducing procedures eg: physiotherapy treatment.

For more information on seasonal or swine flu please contact  www.hpa.org.uk