WWI: Influenza
Use this blog to share interesting research regarding the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919. How did the war contribute to the spread of the flu? Have we witnessed other huge flu outbreaks through history? How might a superbug or flu situation impact the globe in your lifetime?
The influenza outbreak was one of the worst and most devastating diseases in American history. It stole over 50 million lives world-wide; 20 to 40 million of those being Americans alone. Many of these deaths were caused simply by a lack of awareness. More people died of this outbreak in a one year than the Black Death Bubonic Plague took in 1347 to 1351. This disease was most deadly for people from 20- 40 years old. This was unexpected as influenza usually targets the elderly and the very young. The influenza pandemic also had a massive impact on the war. Half the soldiers who died in the trenches died due to influenza not the enemy. It’s estimated that over 43,000 servicemen died of influenza during WW1. This effect was so severe that the U.S. life span dropped by 10 years! The death rates for 15 to 34-year-olds with influenza were 20 times higher than in previous years. People were dying in the streets and becoming ill at alarming rates because of this merciless disease. Influenza was being spread through people, from shipping lines and trading routes; and was shared so easily this disease was nearly impossible to defeat. Since influenza we’ve faced The Asiatic (Russian) Flu, Malaria, Polio, the “common” flu, Cholera, and we’re still battling HIV and AIDS. Today we remember the influenza pandemic as one of our most horrible and most terrifying illnesses throughout history.
ReplyDeleteworks cited: http://virus.stanford.edu/uda/ http://www.haverford.edu/biology/edwards/disease/viral_essays/redicanvirus.htm
The influenza pandemic in 1918-1919 made a huge impact on Americans in the United States. The spread of influenza was during World War I and was quickly spread into America. Around 675,000 Americans died of the influenza virus during this pandemic, which was about ten times those who lost their lives in World War I. Half of the Americans fighting in Europe died of the influenza virus, not of enemy attacks. The effect the influenza virus had on America decreased the average life span in the United States by 10 years! For example one anecdote was, people driving to work would catch influenza, and later die a few hours later. Comparing the deaths in the War and the deaths of those who caught the influenza virus, was 16 million to about 50 million. Another huge flu outbreak in United States history was Swine flu. In late April of 2009 a outbreak of flu know as H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) was very similar to the influenza outbreak in 1918. Unlike in 1918 they had a vaccine for H1N1 very fast, and it was given to over 65million people. There have been many awful illnesses throughout U.S. history, but the influenza pandemic of 1918 was by far one of the worst.
ReplyDeleteThe influenza outbreak of 1918 affected the whole world; it also had a HUGE impacted on World War 1. Millions of previously healthy soldiers had been infected with the influenza by March 1918. And what made things worse was that no vaccines would work against it, and a vaccine couldn’t be made because the microscopes that we had at the time couldn’t see things that small and obscure. 3,000 soldiers were suffering from the influenza at Kerhuon Base in Brest France. 569 out of those 3,000 died, and when autopsies were preformed the doctors found something incredibly strange. The lungs of the victims were filled with fluid, and the lungs themselves were oddly blue! In September of 1918 the Surgon General Victor Vaughan made the hypothesis that younger people would be more affected by the flu than elderly people. 28% of Americans were infected with this flu. 675,000 people in America dies from this flu, and 43,000 men in the war died. This flu had a 2.5% mortality rate compared to the 0.1% mortality rate of other influenza epidemics. The flu spread so quickly around because it traveled by people mostly through trade routes and shipping line. Men in the war most likely got it from men that had just been drafted from America were the flu was spreading rapidly. Yes, we have experienced more flu out breaks through history the most recent being: Avian Flu from 1997 to 1999 then again in 2008 and H1N1 which was in 2009. If we were to have another major flu outbreak it would probably be very similar to what went on with H1N1, some would die, but we would all take the serious precautions. If anything we would probably find a vaccine much faster because of new technology.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.globalsecurity.org/security/ops/hsc-scen-3_pandemic-history.htm
http://virus.stanford.edu/uda/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/photo-gallery/influenza/
The Influenza Epidemic of the late 1910's was a devastating disease to the entire world. It was known as the 'Spanish Flu' and also managed to kill more people in one year then the Black Plague did in four years. On top of that, the Great War (World War I) had just ended. This meant that people went from being scared of an enemy they could see coming to one that was almost impossible to prepare for. When the epidemic started, separate hospitals had to be resurrected to quarantine the infectious disease. This disease was spread mostly by air contact, but was not all over the world. It is thought that this influenza strain came to be during the war, allowing many soldiers to become infected. When they came home, it was spread all over the country. Soon enough, you weren't safe anywhere. People began to wear masks when they went outside, including baseball players and other public figures. We have experienced something that was like this influenza outbreak not too long ago, though it's been quickly forgotten. The Swine Flu has so far been the 21st century's Spanish Flu. Luckily a remedy was quickly found for it, and nowhere near as many people died this time. Still, it's scary to imagine a super strain of the flu. If we were to have a repeat of the 1918 disease or worse, it would turn out to be catastrophic. This is because of how connected this world is now. If a disease came out into the human race that we did not have a cure for that killed at will, we would surely suffer more. The contact with different parts of the world means the disease would be everywhere in a matter of possibly hours. Without a vaccine, people would be dropping in the streets. Quite possibly, 50% or more of the world could be killed. This is unlikely, but still a very real possibility. With the 1918 Influenza Epidemic behind us, our generation will attempt to avoid another epidemic like it.
ReplyDeleteThe Influenza Pandemic was a terrible disaster that occurred during 1918-1919. The Influenza, commonly known as the Spanish Flu, caused more than 50-100 million deaths total. In fact, the flu caused more deaths than World War I itself! Many people who were diagnosed with this disease died almost instant deaths. It is unknown where the flu originated, but many scientists say China, where it could have started as an unusual genetic shift on the Influenza virus. America first noticed the flu in 1918 around Kansas and military camps. Unfortunately, the United States brushed the warning signs off, and did nothing to prepare for this catastrophe ahead. World War I brought in the second wave of the flu, starting in Boston when machinery and supplies were being shipped in through the port. It soon traveled to war fleets, “killing more men then their own weapons could.” One-fourth of the United States and one-fifth of the world were infected with this disease, making it almost impossible not to catch it. Even President Woodrow Wilson was affected during his presidency. The end of World War I allowed public health services to start enforcing ways of preventing Influenza. Scientists were now equipped with the new germ theory and antiseptic surgeries, leading to vaccinations and avoidance of disease from battle wounds. Our nation today has also been subjected to a huge flu outbreak, and that would be the Swine Flu, or H1N1 virus, of 2009. This outbreak started in Mexico, and finally worked itself across the world, causing 14,286 deaths total. Fortunately, the H1N1 epidemic ended roughly around April 2010. This impacted the globe in many ways. It helped us, in a way, “come together”, and try and fight off the disease. We became more enlightened on the science behind the flu, and came out with a flu vaccination. Our nation experienced many horrible things in its history, but the Influenza Pandemic was definitely one of the worst.
ReplyDeletehttp://virus.stanford.edu/uda/
http://patients.about.com/od/patientempowermentissues/a/swindflu2009.htm
The influenza pandemic killed around over three times as many people compared to the deaths in World War I. The deadly virus killed an estimated 50 million people in the world. There were two periods the disease fell into. In the late spring of 1918, the influenza virus was very minor. Otherwise known as the common, “three day fever,” it showed no huge symptoms and only few people passed away from it. Later on that year in the fall, the virus hit everywhere and it hit the world hard. In only a few hours it would kill people acquiring the symptoms, however, for others whose symptoms have seemed to surpass, their lungs filled with fluid and they choked to death. Over 25 percent of U.S. population had been affected by the pandemic and in a year, the life expectancy dropped by 12 years! The influenza was first called the Spanish Flu because the first major outbreaks of it began in Spain. The war contributed to the spread of the flu in two ways. Our troops were put into areas where flu outbreaks were associated with. The medical knowledge and equipment our military had was not prepared to deal with it because we were ready to fix war associated injuries, not a deadly virus. When our troops came home from the war, they brought the influenza virus with them. Thus, the spread of the pandemic began across the world. Yes, we have had some major flu outbreaks such as the Bird Flu, the Asian flu, the Hong Kong Flu, and the H1N1 Swine flu. The most recent flu outbreak was the H1N1 Swine Flu which was a pandemic that was announced in 2009. It was a combination of influenza virus genes that weren’t found in animals or humans. Symptoms were related very closely to a person who had the common cold. Viruses and the flu evolve every so often so they do not die off. If not identified, a flu situation may impact the globe in my lifetime very harshly in the first few months. Nonetheless, we would probably be able to fix it before it gets to its very worst. There is a high chance that another superbug may occur, but with the innovations of technology, we may be able to stop it before it starts. Thankfully, knowledge and technology is improving in our lives to prevent medical issues such as the influenza pandemic.
ReplyDeleteThe pandemic of influenza in 1918 was highly contagious and caused chaos around the world. More than one fifth of the world's population was infected with this deadly virus, known as the “Spanish Flu” or “La Grippe”! Also, about twenty-eight percent of all Americans got infected with influenza, during 1918, and it killed about 675,000 Americans. This particular strain of flu was most deadly to people between the ages of twenty and forty. While this pandemic of the influenza virus was spreading rapidly, though, many of the European countries and America were fighting in World War One. Because of this, there were many injured soldiers, coming back to America, that needed immediate medical attention. Therefore, many of the doctors across the nation were busy trying to heal the injured soldiers, leaving very few doctors to cure those infected with the deadly virus. Also, the war caused many people to come together, from all across the nation, to help contribute to the war. Many of them, unfortunately, carried the influenza virus, and they spread it even further, causing many to die. Fortunately, this terrible outbreak lead to the development of many vaccines, in which would help prevent or neutralize any further viral catastrophes. Other outbreaks of the influenza virus included: Asian Flu (H2N2), Hong Kong Flu (H3N2), Bird Flu (H5N1), and, most recently, the swine flu (H1N1). The swine flu, or H1N1, occurred in 2009; it was the cause of about 10,000 deaths throughout the country. Luckily, due to all the medical innovations over the years, an outbreak of the flu will not greatly impact the world as it did back in 1918.
ReplyDeleteThe influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 has been a truly devastating disease, and affected many Americans. This disease killed more people than the 1st World War. The outbreak had begun in the spring of 1918. Men in trenches had a hard life; they did not believe it could get worse. Influenza started with the symptoms of a common cold and was not considered to be severe. Soldiers and doctors quickly learned that it was not a common cold, it was far worse. The troops in Europe were harshly affected by this disease. Half of the soldiers died from the influenza instead of being killed by the enemy. Around 43,000 troops stationed in WW1 died of the influenza. In two years, one fifth of the world was infected. People of the ages 20-40 were typically at risk. By the fall, the virus had spread across the Atlantic Ocean to the US via military ships. The influenza infected 28% of Americans. Approximately 675,000 people died. That is ten times worse than in WW1. This disease was a major killer around the globe. Most of my peers stated that the H1N1 (Swine Flu) illness has been the worst disease of our time. I would have to agree with them. This disease came about in 2009. It was considered to be connected to the influenza outbreak. A difference between H1N1 and the influenza is that the influenza was more deadly. Only occasionally did someone die of the H1N1 disease. I remember a lot of students missing school due to this virus. Even I recall being sick for about two weeks. This virus officially ended on June 23, 2010. Both viruses caused damage. The influenza has definitely been one of the most dreadful diseases in US history.
ReplyDeleteThe influenza disease fled to America in 1918 infecting a majority of the of the American people. It was a horrible tragedy in the U.S effecting civilians, and soldiers. It started out as a common cold. Almost the exact same symptoms, but then would get worse. The symptoms would get worse and worse eventually leading to death and most cases. Many soldiers fighting in the trenches were effected by this disease. Influenza killed more then 44,000 people. One fifth of the entire military was infected by influenza. Influenza was very deadly and one of the worst things to happen in the military. During its deadly spree, influenza killed over 675,000 people in america, and 50 million in the world. No vaccines were available at the time because we weren't scientifically advanced enough, our minds and equipment, to find a solution. Influenza was also known as the the Spanish Flu. The virus has been compared to many other deadly diseases, including swine flu, as one of the worst diseases in U.S history.
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ReplyDeleteBetween fifty and one-hundred million people dead, six-hundred and seventy thousand of the dead were American citizens, over five-hundred million people infected. The 1918 flu pandemic was a great tragedy that was so bad any written words of understanding cannot do it justice. The strength and range of this virus can be directly related to two things. One trench warfare and two the heightened travel between continents due to war. Trench warfare was like a petri dish for the flu. The close quarters and uncleanliness of the troops in the trenches helped maintain and strengthen this virus. Once one strand would fade away an evolved one would spread again. This cycle leads to creating a super virus that even if vaccines were present might not have helped. We must also remember that these troops are going to be stationed somewhere else due to frequent trench rotations, so when these soldiers move they take with them a deadly virus. Every time this happens the people affected increase exponentially. The 1918 Flu pandemic became known as the Spanish flu do to the lack of censorship in Spain's media about the flu. Most other country put restrictions on the media on what they can report about the flu so the morale of the people is not lowered any worse. Due to the ongoing war countries made any effort possible to ensure the slightest happiness of its citizens. Eventually we have a pandemic blamed on Spain due to their lack of censorship.
ReplyDeleteThe influenza epidemic of 1918 effected people all over the world and was estimated to have claimed 50 million lives. This deadly flu had killed 550,000 Americans and 50,000 soldiers. Within months this disease held the record for the most deaths from any disease. This disease had killed more people in one year than the Black Death Bubonic Plague 1347 - 1351 killed in four years. President Wilson had contracted the flu in 1919 while debating the Treaty of Versailles. Stores could not hold sales, funerals where limited to fifteen minute, and people needed signed certificates to ride on the railroads. Citizens were advised to wear gauze masks when in public. This disease targeted middle aged people most. The most recent flu situation that was a huge health threat was the H1N1 flu (swine flu) in 2009. Over 600,000 people were infected and about 18,000 people were killed. Whole towns were evacuated and over 65 million vaccines were administered to help prevent the infection. With how many people are in our world today a very deadly disease could catch millions by surprise but with modern technology, which includes vaccines it would be very difficult to reach the records the 1918 flu has set.
ReplyDeleteInfluenza was making another début during WWI. This deadly virus was killing more people than a silver bullet could. I feel like influenza was a bigger killer during this time period because of a few reasons. The lack of medicine overseas along with all the infection due to people’s wounds could have made the spread of influenza have a rapid increase. Another reason I think it would have been a large killer in WWI was when the men were overseas fighting the war; they were exposed to different versions of the flu that they had not been exposed to before. When the men returned home they would have spread it to the American population. Overall this would be affecting our continental death toll at that particular time. Another influenza outbreak we have seen is swine flu. It happened when we were in seventh grade. This particular influenza strand spread rapidly and was extremely deadly. Like both cases of outbreaks, it mainly affected children and the elderly. This outbreak had affected our world in some ways. I know it affected Fairview School District; know there are hand sanitization areas in every classroom. It made our world work hard to find a cure and/or vaccination for this virus. When another outbreak occurs, we will probably be able to handle this better.
ReplyDeleteThe influenza pandemic of 1918 and 1919 not only affected the United States, but the whole entire world. This deadly disease killed 50 million people worldwide and 675,000 of these individuals who succumbed to the pandemic were Americans. Oddly enough this sickness only affected persons in the middle age groups, and not children or the elderly. As the influenza encompassed the globe, our troops fighting in war now had a hidden, invisible enemy to battle. 43,000 of our troops in WWI died, not from warfare, but from the deadly influenza. Also the men who were lucky enough to escape the flu in Europe often times came home to America to find their loved ones had contracted or fallen to the flu, or that themselves had contracted the flu. The Swine Flu, also known as H1N1, was the closest disease of modern times that compared to the influenza pandemic of 1918. The outbreak of this disease killed between 8,870 and 18,300 people. To shield themselves from this disease many individuals wore medical masks in public places, a scene similar to the one during the pandemic of 1918. With the outbreak the world has also improved on our personal hygiene. For example in the Fairview School District we placed hand sanitizer dispensers in each classroom and “wash your hands” signs through out the schools. In conclusion the H1N1 outbreak of 2009 was defiantly a huge turning point in our society. Every year diseases are advancing faster than medical science can, so I believe in my lifetime there will be another worldwide plague worse than the Swine Flu.
ReplyDeleteWebsites used:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/estimates_2009_h1n1.htm
http://virus.stanford.edu/uda/
I learned a great deal about the flu from your posts! Thanks gang:)
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