Facts and Information
The number of people infected
What is 500 Million?
The virus infected over five hundred million people. This was just under one-third of the population in 1918.
Best way to prevent the flu
What is having good hygiene?
Proper respiratory etiquette (covering coughs) and washing your hands is the best way to prevent spreading and receiving the seasonal flu.
Why was this particular strain called the "Spanish Flu"?
The flu was vastly reported in Spain.
The virus was censored among the countries who participated in World War I, and it seemed that the only country being majorly effected was Spain. However, the Flu is believed to originate from East Asia or Eastern Europe.
The percentage of people who were infected and died.
What is 10-20%? (5% of the national population)
The mortality rate of the Spanish Flu is unknown, however, it killed between 10% and 20% of the people that were infected, and it was especially lethal in Native American populations where is wiped out over 95% of the population.
The most common mode of transmission
What is coughing and sneezing?
Coughing and sneezing is the most common mode of transport as it is transmitted through human to human in close quarters.
The disease killed many healthy young adults.
Most strains of the Flu kill very young weak immune systems or elderly who already have preexisting conditions. However, this particular strain killed many healthy young people with strong immune systems.
Why did the Flu stop spreading?
Everyone who had the lethal strain died.
Because the virus was in two mutated "waves", the second wave spread so rapidly that it killed before it could continue spreading. (Only after killing 20-40 million)
The most common sign of a Flu
The most common sign of the Flu is a fever with chills. Depending on your age, the Flu can cause other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, and pneumonia (in the worst cases).
The amount of strains of the Spanish Flu
What is three?
The Spanish Flu came in two waves but was believed to be in three different strains. The first being very contagious, but not very lethal and could easily recover. The second was the deadliest that caused many to die, but it is largely agreed that a third strain came in which was not lethal that actually stopped the spreading of the virus.