The Historical Impact of Influenza, the Common Cold

Influenza is a common dilemma, which diminishes the human population of the world every year. Currently, the world is coping with the possible threat of a modern flu pandemic. Swine Flu has been on the minds of people around the globe, since it was first targeted as a specifically virulent strain of influenza. This mounting concern is in part due to the 1918 influenza outbreak. The most ruinous spell of the common cold erupted in 1918 and it was deemed, the Spanish Flu. The memories of its effects are still fairly prominent in the minds of Americans today. In fact, Stephanie Meyer's popular vampire heart throb Edward Cullen was dying of Spanish Influenza when he was turned into a vampire. The recognition of this epidemic by millions of readers today shows the enormity of the devastating effects it had on society many years ago. The scars left on society during the war, after the war, and today are evidence of the lasting effects of this pandemic.

During the war, influenza spread rapidly because of the mobilization of troops across country borders. The contact that soldiers shared amongst their fellow fighters exacerbated the problem and made it difficult to isolate the sickness. As World War I waged on, and more soldiers were sent into combat, the influenza spread like wildfire. According to the Telegraph, "Most doctors were still out at the front treating war casualties, with the majority of nurses (salaried and voluntary) in attendance. At home, an estimated three nurses were available per million of population." This severe lack of medical attention allowed the unchecked illness to continue to infect the healthy population and keep the afflicted bedridden. While the war was a particularly destructive occurrence for the countries involved, it was the Spanish Flu that claimed the most lives throughout its duration.

When the war concluded, Americans across the country celebrated. Citizens were excited to see the end of such a disastrous war, but unbeknownst to them, the death toll would continue to mount. The Armistice Day merriment, which occurred in practically every town across the nation, provided a breeding ground for influenza. Civilians, war veterans, adults, and children were in attendance. These festivities resulted in additional spreading of the disease, but now, the main conduit for disease distribution was taking place on American soil, not on the battlefield.

Once the epidemic died out, it seemed that the negative effects of the plague were over. Although the population was diminished, the country began to rebuild itself. However, few people could predict the lasting effects the Spanish Flu would have. According to a TIME article, "Researchers found... that people who were born in the U.S. just after the 1918 flu pandemic (that is, people who were still in utero when the disease was at its peak) had a higher risk of a heart attack in their adulthood than those born before or long after the pandemic". The article also noted that children born during pandemics have an increased chance of physical disabilities and schizophrenia development. They also typically have lower test scores and incomes later in life.

The Spanish Flu was a disastrous epidemic that scoured the globe. It took more lives than World War I, yet when it began people had shrugged it off as a common cold. The effects of this pandemic lasted throughout the war and traces of its presence in history can still be seen in the present day. At present, Swine Flu weighs heavily on the minds of scientists around the world as they try to prevent a possible pandemic from arising much like the rapid spread of Spanish Flu. Knowing the true effects of pandemics such as these and being aware of the consequences of non-action are important factors to consider when dealing with a fatal illness such as influenza. With careful observation, we can lessen the chances that an outbreak, like the 1918 Spanish Flu, will have such a devastating effect on modern and future generations.

Works Cited

Narayan, Adi. "Side Effects of 1918 Flu Seen Decades Later." Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com . Cable News Network, 12 Oct. 2009. Web. 24 Nov. 2009. http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1929814,00.html

Nicholson, Juliet. "The war was over - but Spanish Flu would kill millions more." Http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/6542203/The-war-was-over---but-Spanish-Flu-would-kill-millions-more.html.

Rosenberg, Jennifer. "1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic." About.com. The New York Times Company. Web. 24 Nov. 2009. http://history1900s.about.com/od/1910s/p/spanishflu.htm