Spanish flu
Spanish Flu
Spanish flu (pronunciation: /ˈspænɪʃ fluː/), also known as the 1918 flu pandemic, was an unusually deadly influenza pandemic caused by the H1N1 influenza A virus. The pandemic lasted from February 1918 to April 1920, infecting 500 million people – about a third of the world's population at the time.
Etymology
The term "Spanish flu" was coined because Spain, which remained neutral during World War I, was one of the first countries where the epidemic was reported in the media. The disease was inaccurately associated with Spain, although it is believed to have originated elsewhere.
Symptoms
The symptoms of the Spanish flu were similar to those of other strains of influenza. They included fever, fatigue, and respiratory problems. However, the Spanish flu often led to severe complications such as pneumonia and death.
Transmission
The Spanish flu was transmitted from person to person through droplets from coughs and sneezes. It was highly contagious, with a rapid spread facilitated by the crowded conditions of World War I.
Prevention and Treatment
Prevention measures during the Spanish flu pandemic included isolation, quarantine, good personal hygiene, use of disinfectants, and limitations on public gatherings. As for treatment, there were no effective drugs or vaccines available to treat Spanish flu or prevent its spread at the time.
Impact
The Spanish flu pandemic had a significant impact on society, causing high mortality rates and disrupting economies and public services. It also influenced the course of World War I and had long-term effects on public health policies.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Spanish flu
- Wikipedia's article - Spanish flu
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski