Comparing the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic to the Covid 19 pandemic 2020
I had heard of the 1918 flu pandemic but knew very little about it. The main fact I knew to be true was that it killed more people than the Great War as it was then known. Now that we are living through a pandemic I thought I should check on the definition of this word.
So a pandemic occurs when people are easily infected with a viral influenza. This virus must have the ability to spread in a sustained manner from person to person.
In 1918 the number of infections of Spanish flu followed an upwards trajectory as it infected susceptible people. Measures were then taken such as the closures of childcare facilities and schools. This is exactly what we are seeing in 2020.
The virus which caused the 1918 pandemic was H1N1 a virus of avian origin. It had a 20% mortality and particularly infected under 5 's, 20-40 year olds and over 65's. Healthy individuals died as well as those with underlying health conditions.
The mortality of Covid 19 seems to be in the order or 2 to 3 % so vastly different.
There was no vaccine in 1918 just as now. There were no antibiotics to treat secondary infections in 1918 and that was a crucial deficiency.
The only way of dealing with Spanish flu was to use non pharmaceutical methods. These included isolation , quarantine , good personal hygiene, the use of disinfectants and the limiting of public gatherings. Sound familiar ? Yes it is exactly what we are doing now.
One advantage we have now is that, at least in developed countries, the population is better fed and has received superior health care.
In 1918 many people lived in overcrowded conditions leading to the rapid transmission of the virus.
The only hope of eradicating this novel Coronavirus is the development of a successful vaccine. Mass testing is suggested as another way which may lead to a return to normal life.
People are talking about life after Covid 19 as life ON THE OTHER SIDE just as Christians may talk about life after death. Maybe , just maybe , life then will be a kinder and more appreciative one for us all.
So a pandemic occurs when people are easily infected with a viral influenza. This virus must have the ability to spread in a sustained manner from person to person.
In 1918 the number of infections of Spanish flu followed an upwards trajectory as it infected susceptible people. Measures were then taken such as the closures of childcare facilities and schools. This is exactly what we are seeing in 2020.
The virus which caused the 1918 pandemic was H1N1 a virus of avian origin. It had a 20% mortality and particularly infected under 5 's, 20-40 year olds and over 65's. Healthy individuals died as well as those with underlying health conditions.
The mortality of Covid 19 seems to be in the order or 2 to 3 % so vastly different.
There was no vaccine in 1918 just as now. There were no antibiotics to treat secondary infections in 1918 and that was a crucial deficiency.
The only way of dealing with Spanish flu was to use non pharmaceutical methods. These included isolation , quarantine , good personal hygiene, the use of disinfectants and the limiting of public gatherings. Sound familiar ? Yes it is exactly what we are doing now.
One advantage we have now is that, at least in developed countries, the population is better fed and has received superior health care.
In 1918 many people lived in overcrowded conditions leading to the rapid transmission of the virus.
The only hope of eradicating this novel Coronavirus is the development of a successful vaccine. Mass testing is suggested as another way which may lead to a return to normal life.
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