The Spanish Flu Killed More Men Than WW1

The Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 was the worst pandemic the world has seen. It killed more in one year than the Black Death did in four. More men died of flu than had died of wounds in the entire first world war.

The 1918 flu pandemic lasted 1½ years and killed between 50 and 100 million people worldwide. Between 3% and 6% of the world population died. In some places whole villages were wiped out. So many people were affected that sometimes there was no one well enough to treat the sick or bury the dead.

This terrible illness struck just as the Great War was ending and people thought the killing was over. Soldiers returning home from the trenches spread the disease rapidly around the globe. Up to half the world’s population were infected. Young men, who had survived the horrors of war, got home only to die of flu. Had the mustard gas used in the war weakened them?

Up to half the world’s population were infected. While most recovered completely with a week’s bed rest, many others died within 24 hours of contracting the disease.

The 1918 flu differed from normal flu in several ways.

It appeared in summer rather than winter

It caused much more serious symptoms than normal flu

It killed mainly healthy young adults, rather than the very old and very young.

The mortality rate was many times higher than with ordinary flu.

Altogether, there were three waves of the Spanish flu, of which the second wave was the most fatal. Flu viruses mutate rapidly, and within 18 months this one had changed to a new and less deadly form.

The recent swine flu is going todidn't end up being any where near as virulent as the 1918 flu, but you never know what this winter will bring. It’s always wise to look after your health. Keep your immune system strong and you're less likely to get any type of flu.

SBI!