Spanish Flu- The 1918 Spanish Flu
Pandemic
The 1918 flu pandemic is more commonly known as
the Spanish flu, a pandemic that can easily be said to have been the
most dangerous and devastating disease ever. The flu was caused by
Influenza A virus, which is a sub-virus of the more recent H1N1
(Swine Flu). There is not enough geographical data to show where
exactly the influenza began, and where it ended. Though, people do
not know one thing; that it was undoubtedly the most dangerous
pandemic till current day. The flu had what many referred to as
“odd” selection of victims. It seemed like the well nourished,
healthy adults, were the ones who were most prone to the influenza.
This was seen as “odd” due to the fact that most influenzas target
those that are younger, or those that are much older. In this case,
everyone was somewhat mixed around. The middle group was the ones
being affected the most, and there was nothing people could to do
stop it.
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Photo During 1918 Flu
Pandemic
Emergency hospital during influenza epidemic
1918 (National Museum of Health and Medicine)
U.S. Army
Camp Hospital (National Museum of
Health and Medicine)
Cartoon from 1918 created by one of the
nation’s most famous cartoonists, Clifford T. Berryman. “The
Public” holds a handkerchief. He says “Use the Handkerchief
and Do Your Bit to Protect Me!” A young boy listens. At the
bottom of the image, a caption reads “Colds, Influenza,
Pneumonia and Tuberculosis are spread this way.”
People wore masks to protection against the
influenza virus during 1918 pandemic. (Office of the Public
Health Service Historian) |
The pandemic began in March of 1918, and reached
points as far as the Arctic, and even some of the most isolated
areas of the world. Estimates show that close to one hundred million
people were killed a result, but many people argue that there is no
actual proof that this is accurate. Nearly one-third of Europe’s
population was gone, and the victims from the influenza were said to
have been much more than those killed in World War 1. Comparisons of
the death toll from this single influenza were made to other
catastrophic events, yet none could come even close; this took the
biggest toll on mankind than anything ever had. Let alone that some
one hundred million were killed, close to one billion was to have
been estimated to have been affected by it one time or another. At
the time, this number was more than half of the population of the
world. Yes, the entire world. With lack of medical ability at the
time, people now realize that this influenza alone could have wiped
out every single person from the face of the earth. It was
unstoppable. The influenza lasted for two years, when it finally
seemed to be dying down.
Evidently, the influenza did not only take a toll
on the population of the world. The influenza destroyed human
morals, devastated the economy, alongside many more things, which
would continue to be affected for years to come. Considering the
death toll caused by the influenza, it would take many years for the
world to recover and come together, and fear seemed to always be
within people that another similar occurrence might strike soon. In
times of such despair, the world had to come together, and many
people did just that. With many countries having lost almost all
their population, there was nothing else left to do. The influenza
proved itself to be the worst pandemic in history, and has yet to be
beaten. In recent years, people do not fear as people during the
Spanish Flu era did. Why? During this day and time, humans have the
technology that is advanced enough to stop almost any disease in
store for us, and this has recently been proven with the H1N1 virus
(Swine Flu). This is not to say that humans are now completely
immune, yet are simply more prepared and protected for such a
catastrophe. The only thing that seems to play against the modern
generation is the increase in travel. In current day, people are
able to travel very often and quite easily. If a deadly flu was to
begin in Europe, thousands of people traveling into the United
States would be carrying it and spreading it. In that era, travel
was not as common, and if it had been, the world may not be where it
is now; existent.
Recommended Reading:
What is Swine Flu
(Influenza A H1N1)?
Swine Flu
and WHO's Pandemic Scale
Do I Need Mask for
Swine Flu Protection?
Symptoms
of Swine Flu - Fever, Fatigue, Diarrhea and More
Swine Flu
Prevention Tips
How Does
Swine Flu Spread?
What to Do if You
Think You Have Swine Flu
Swine Respiratory Disease -
Swine Flu in Pigs
Swine Flu
in Humans
How Many
Swine Viruses Are There?
The 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic (new)
Swine Flu
Treatment - Tamiflu, Relenza Antiviral (new)
No Swine Flu from Eating Pork,
Safe to Eat
(new)
Cold vs Flu - Major Differences
Between Cold and Flu (new)
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