The Flu Pandemic Of 1918 Essays - Global Health, Animal Virology

The Flu Pandemic Of 1918 During the course of time certain incidents occur that change the course of our future and our thoughts. These incidents effect the population of the world either positively or negatively. Yet one event stood out to show how with the future brings both knowledge and power. Over the course of this century, scientific research has shown that modern medicine is not as exemplary as we would like it to be, since both we as people, and diseases are continuing a rapid growth or race to extinction of one another. For scientific comparisons, the 1918 Flu Pandemic will be the archetype. Since the beginning of time man has been haunted and tormented by one thing. Disease. Disease and bacteria have been causing great pain and strife to people since the beginning of time. From the Egyptian's to the pioneers, and now today. As many different forms of diseases break out, society often is caught looking back in history to judge what to do in situations. This includes diseases. Scientists and researchers still haven't found the direct cause of the Great Flu Pandemic of 1918, let alone many others that are taking place this very second. Diseases have damaged society for a long time, the bubonic plague that swept across Europe ?during the 1300s nearly half the population of Europe was killed by an epidemic of plague.?(Fettner Pg. 1) Widhalm 2 Though diseases have been lingering in human society since the dawn of time, many have fought back diseases by researching and creating vaccines and advances in medicine to help the ill. From penicillin to advanced surgery techniques and Antibiotics, the world has given its best shots to end disease but are still falling up a little short. Since the beginning of the infectious influenza, which has been taking the lives of many humans for centuries, it has always been consistent with its treatments and symptoms. The flu is well known for being on time. As most are aware of the flu comes about the same time each and every year. ?The name influenza derived from an observation made more than 200 years ago that epidemics of cough and fever occurred more frequently at certain times of the year. At the time, the conclusion was drawn that such epidemics occurred under the influence of particular constellations of planets?(Schullman 1). This information is clearly a misconception of medieval time's notion and beliefs. The flu is derived of three strains, A, B, and C, which each contain many different strains. Though a pandemic is scheduled every thirty to forty years, the latest and largest encounter of the flu was in 1918. ?The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than the Great War, known today as World War I (WWI), at somewhere between 20 and 40 million people?(Stanford Studies Pg. 1). In the fall of 1918, a pandemic was spread all over the world killing millions of people. About 43,000 servicemen who were mobilized from WWI died from the outbreak. (Pg. 1). ?1918 would go down as unforgettable year of suffering and yet of peace?(Pg. 1). This statement is a great irony because it contradicts Widhalm 3 itself. It does this because WWI ended in the fall of 1918, so though there was great peace and joy now that the war was over, the pandemic spread before the joy of peace could even begin. Through the millions that suffered the ultimate consequence from the pandemic, 675,000 Americans lost their lives. An overall 28% of the American population was infected at one time. ?The Great War, with its mass movements of men in armies and aboard ships, probably aided in its rapid diffusion and attack? (Pg. 3) Many believe that the influenza pandemic erupted from the war. Through trench warfare and the use of biological weapons, many did believe that the war was the root cause. During the war at this time, the men stationed on fleets in the ocean and the men at the front, were all becoming ill and dying. Supposedly, in the later era of WWI, the flu was killing more men than the weapons were. (Pg. 3) Through all this time the society and lifestyles of countries everywhere were under the control of the