Influenza Epidemic
The Deadly Influenza Epidemic Of 1918
The influenza epidemic of 1918 had killed more people than
those who died in World War I. It is estimated that World
War I resulted in about sixteen million deaths but the influenza
epidemic of 1918 caused about fifty million deaths, which
is almost thrice the deaths caused by a World War. The influenza
epidemic affected and attacked almost one fifth of the population
of the world and in just few months time it had claimed more
lives than any other illness has ever done.
The influenza epidemic struck about in two phases and in
late spring of 1918 the first phase started which was known
as the three day fever and attacked without even any forewarn.
There were not too many reported deaths and most of the victims
started to recover after several days which are how it got
the name of three day disease. The disease then resurfaced
in the fall of that year and it became much serious and severe.
There was no possibility of identifying this disease and try
as they may, doctors, scientists and health officials failed
to make any progress as the influenza epidemic struck fast,
viciously and defied treatment and control. A few victims
of this disease died within hours of first symptoms while
others lost their lives after a few days when their lungs
filled with fluids hence caused them to suffocate to death.
There was no discrimination as the deadly influenza epidemic
struck the US wildly in urban and rural areas stretching from
the highly populated East coast to the remote areas of Alaska
and affected the young, who usually are unaffected by these
kinds of infectious diseases being very hard hit along with
the older generation and young children. It is believed that
this influenza epidemic had victimized more than a quarter
of the population of the United States and in one year the
life expectancy average dropped by twelve years.
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