The Spanish Flu.

By Lucía L., Alejandra S. & Ismael D.

The spanish FLU

The spanish FLU in Biology

Impact on Society.

Prevention.

Curiosities.

How it spread.

Treatment.

What it consists of and symptoms.

Index:

Some of the symptoms were: high fever, coughing, sore throat, headaches, fatigue, muscular weakness, respiratory insufficiency, and pneumonia.

Symptoms.

The Spanish Flu had a profound impact on society. It caused widespread fear and disrupted daily life globally. The pandemic overwhelmed healthcare systems, leading to shortages of medical resources. Public gatherings were restricted, and schools and businesses closed,The Spanish Flu was an illness very active in Europe from 1918 to 1920. In the beginning, it was called the Napoles Soldier and was caused by an outbreak of the virus type A, subtype H1N1. There are several theories about how the Spanish flu virus originated. One theory is that the virus originated in pigs and was then transmitted to humans. Another theory is that the virus originated in birds and was then transmitted to humans. It is also possible that the virus originated in humans and then mutated to become more contagious.

What does it consist of?

The Spanish Flu spread during World War I in Europe. It originated in Kansas, United States in a military base. The Spanish Flu spread to more than 500.000.000 people and killed around 50.000.000 people worldwide. The Spanish flu was spread primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughed or sneezed. Some reasons for fast propagation were: War conditions: Overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in military camps and troop transports facilitated the spread of the virus. Fast Transportation: The development of steamships and airplanes allowed the virus to travel rapidly across continents, further accelerating the spread of the pandemic. Lack of hygienic practices: In the early 20th century, hand and respiratory hygiene practices were not as widespread as they are today, which made it easier for the virus to spread.

How did it spread?

At the time, there was no definitive treatment since there was no vaccine, so doctors prescribed aspirin, which is an anti-inflammatory. Sometimes the doses of this medicine were very high, causing poisoning in patients.

Treatment.

Misleading Name: The Spanish Flu didn't originate in Spain; it got its name due to open reporting in neutral Spain during World War I.Impact on the Young: Unlike typical flu strains, the Spanish Flu had a higher mortality rate among healthy young adults.Swift Spread: The virus spread rapidly, affecting one-third of the world's population within a year.Multiple Waves: The pandemic occurred in waves, with the second wave being the deadliest.Economic Impact: The Spanish Flu contributed to a temporary decline in life expectancy and disrupted economies globally.

Did you know?

Curiosities.

There was no fixed way, so they closed churches and schools and told the population that if they did not have contact with people, they would not get infected. Another method of prevention that was put into use was useless cloth masks since the material was not suitable for it, but it gave people peace of mind.

Prevention.

The Spanish Flu had a profound impact on society. It caused widespread fear and disrupted daily life globally. The pandemic overwhelmed healthcare systems, leading to shortages of medical resources. Public gatherings were restricted, and schools and businesses closed, affecting economies. With a high mortality rate, families faced loss, and the workforce experienced disruptions. The Spanish Flu revealed vulnerabilities in public health and highlighted the importance of global cooperation during health crises.

Impact on Society.

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The spanish FLU in technology

Conclusion.

Materials.

Information and Communication Technologies.

Infrastructure.

Medical Technologies.

Index:

When the nurses saw that the majority of patients came with the same symptoms (fever), they used thermometers to detect it. These people also had a sore throat, so the nurses used magnifying glasses to see them better.

Medical Technologies.

Housing: During the Spanish Flu, available technologies for personal hygiene and disinfection at the household level were limited. Homes lacked advanced sanitation facilities, making it challenging for individuals to maintain proper cleanliness and hygiene. Public: The infrastructure for public health faced challenges. Sewage systems were not as advanced as today, and disinfection in public places was not widespread. This impacted overall sanitation, contributing to the rapid spread of the virus.

Infrastructure.

The most advanced technology in those years was the radio. It was very limited and just a small part of the people had it. The government used the radio to communicate to the population about the virus and what was the situation in the country. In the United States, the Red Cross used radio to broadcast information about the Spanish flu and how to prevent it. In France, the government used the telephone to coordinate the distribution of medical supplies to areas affected by the pandemic. In Japan, newspapers used the radio to spread the news about the pandemic to rural communities.

Information and Communication Technologies.

These are some of the materials that were used during the pandemic: masks, disinfectants, medicines, ventilators, vital support, insulation materials, and personal protection equipment.

Materials used to help prevent, spread and treat the Spanish Flu.

In conclusion, the response to the Spanish Flu was marked by limited technological resources. Nurses played a crucial role in symptom detection using basic tools, showcasing the importance of resourcefulness. Housing and public infrastructure faced challenges, hindering hygiene efforts and contributing to the virus's rapid spread. The era's most advanced technology, the radio, played an important role in communicating crucial information to the public. Limited access to such resources posed significant obstacles in managing the pandemic. Looking back, we see how important it is for healthcare and technology to keep getting better to deal with health problems around the world.

Conclusion.

The spanish FLU in History

The Current State of the Pandemic.

Social and Economic Consequences.

Demographic Consequences.

Geographical Origin and Areas of Pandemic Spread.

Index:

Originating in 1918, the Spanish Flu is believed to have started in Europe, particularly in army camps during World War I. From its European epicenter, the virus rapidly spread worldwide, affecting regions like North America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Its global reach made it one of the most devastating pandemics in history, impacting millions across continents.

Geographical origin and areas of Pandemic Spread.

Today, the Spanish flu does not exist, since it ended 1919eith the invention of the vaccine, something that is essential when a new pandemic begins.What happends today is that there are people who get the flu, but they get it like a normal cold. Vaccines are given to all people to prevent serious symptoms, so thaks to the vaccine, people experience this disease as something temporary, not as somethig than cause death.

Current state of the pandemic.

The Spanish Flu brought significant economic and social consequences. Businesses faced disruptions as workers fell ill, impacting productivity. The pandemic strained healthcare systems, leading to economic stress. Many families lost their providers, causing long-term financial repercussions. Socially, public gatherings were restricted, affecting daily life. The aftermath prompted improvements in public health infrastructure, highlighting the need for adaptability in the face of health crises.

Social and Economic Consequences.

The Spanish Flu had profound demographic consequences, resulting in a significant decline in global population, particularly among younger age groups. This pandemic altered population dynamics, leading to shifts in age structures in many regions. Communities worldwide faced social and economic challenges due to the loss of working-age individuals and disruptions in family structures.

Demographic Consequences.

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