Epidemic 9: The Flu of 1918

spanish flu
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Nurses care for victims of the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic outdoors amidst canvas tents in Massachusetts.

The year was 1918. The world watched as World War I spiraled to a close. By the end of the year, the estimated death toll would reach 37 million worldwide, and millions of soldiers busied themselves with the task of returning to their homes. Then a new illness emerged. Some called it the Spanish flu, others the Great Influenza or the flu of 1918. Whatever you wanted to call it, the disease killed as many as 20 million people in a matter of months [source: Yount]. In a year's time, the flu would run its course, but only after inflicting a staggering death toll. Global estimates range between 50 and 100 million fatalities [source: NPR]. Many consider this the worst epidemic, and ensuing pandemic, in recorded human history.

The flu of 1918 wasn't the typical influenza virus we encounter every year. This was a new strain of flu microbe, the H1N1 avian influenza A virus. Scientists suspect the disease moved from birds to humans in the American Midwest just prior to the outbreak. It was later dubbed the Spanish flu after an epidemic in Spain killed 8 million people [source: NPR]. Worldwide, people's immune systems were utterly unprepared for the new virus -- just as the Aztecs were unprepared for the arrival of smallpox in the 1500s. Massive troop transport and supply lines at the close of World War I allowed the virus to quickly reach pandemic proportions by spreading to other continents and countries.

Resurrecting a Killer
In 2005, research scientists rebuilt the H1N1 avian influenza A virus from genetic material found in the lungs of flu victims from 1918. Scientists hope that by studying the deadly virus, they can better prepare for future outbreaks of new flu viruses.

The flu of 1918 carried symptoms typical of normal influenza, including fever, nausea, aches and diarrhea. Also, patients would frequently develop black spots on their cheeks. As their lungs filled with liquid, they ran the risk of dying from lack of oxygen. Those who died effectively drowned in their own mucus.

The epidemic subsided within a year as the virus mutated into other, less lethal forms. Most people today have some degree of immunity to this family of H1N1 virus, inherited from those who survived the pandemic.

If you like your art dark, read on to learn how the Black Death affected the creative minds of the time.