1918 flu pandemic
1918 Flu Pandemic
The 1918 Flu Pandemic, also known as the Spanish Flu (pronunciation: /ˈspænɪʃ fluː/), was an extraordinarily deadly global Influenza pandemic that lasted from January 1918 to December 1920. It is considered one of the deadliest pandemics in human history.
Etymology
The term "Spanish Flu" originated from the early observation and extensive press coverage of the disease in Spain. However, the disease was not confined to Spain and was widespread globally.
Overview
The 1918 Flu Pandemic infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide, about one-third of the planet's population at the time. The number of deaths was estimated to be at least 50 million, and possibly as high as 100 million, making it one of the deadliest pandemics in human history.
The pandemic was caused by an H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin. Unlike typical flu viruses, this one was particularly deadly, and the victims were often healthy young adults, unlike most influenza viruses which affect the very young, the elderly, or the weakened.
Symptoms
The symptoms of the 1918 Flu Pandemic were similar to those of other strains of the Influenza virus, but were notably more severe. Symptoms included fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite, as well as respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and runny nose.
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