1918 Flu Pandemic -- could it happen again?

In 1918, the world experienced a planet wide pandemic. This story is particularly relevant, because our nation is currently suffering through a severe flu epidemic.

At the outset I think some proper definitions should be offered. Influenza is a disease caused by numerous rapidly mutating viral strains. It is characterized by respiratory symptoms and general prostration (extreme physical weakness).

There are two more definitions that should be related in regards to disease, the flu, and the history of 1918. An epidemic is a situation where a disease is widespread. A Pandemic is a step up to in plight, when the epidemic is extremely widespread in a country, region, or even worldwide.

The 1918 flu, according to the History Channel. was also known by the name, "Spanish Influenza" (due to the first known outbreak). It spread to Europe, North America, and eventually the rest of the world. In all, it is estimated that more than 500 million people were infected.

Estimates of the death toll vary from 20 to 100 million worldwide. The tremendous dislocation caused by World War I is also considered to be a factor. The pandemic disappeared just about a year later, in a shroud of mystery; in the same manner it entered the scene.

As I related in a previous article, I recently contracted the flu. In recent days, I have heard that I was not alone in my suffering. I have talked to several friends, who have told me that this was the worst they had been sick in years.

I can attest, as I am sure several of you can as well, I experienced both of these common flu symptoms in the extreme. I spent the better part of a week suffering from the respiratory conditions, but what seemed even worse, were the aches, pains, and hours of total exhaustion. I am quite sure I slept twice as many hours during the worst of my illness.

Everyone has or will experience multiple cases of the flu during their lifetime. It is far too easy to contract, and it spreads rapidly. The biggest misconception about the flu for most people is that it is caused by a bacterial infection. Nothing could be further from the truth, and many people try to treat it with the wrong medications.

Most people in today's world immediately seek antibiotic medications when they contract the flu. Any doctor will tell you, antibiotics have no effect on a virus. You would have just as much luck trying to bring down an elephant with a BB gun, as you would trying to cure your flu with an antibiotic.

There is a new prescription drug called Tamiflu. It is an antiviral medication, but it is by no means a cure. It does appear to help lessen the effects of the viral infection, and also can help reduce the length of the illness.

The most common types of medical treatments for the flu are prevention and symptom relief. Prevention is obtained by taking a flu vaccination each fall. Addressing symptoms is completed with a variety of medications, mostly over the counter.

The flu vaccine has its detractors. They argue that the vaccinations can have serious side effects. Not being an expert on the subject, I tend to side with the majority of the medical community, and believe that the vaccines do offer a good deal of prevention.

What we should all have more concern about is the possibility of another pandemic. There is a new Syfy Network television mini series "Twelve Monkeys," that is based on the 1996 movie of the same name. This series and the original movie, deal with the possibility of just such a future pandemic.

The plot of the series deals with a pandemic that is the worst the world has ever seen. In the future there is a virus that kills more than 7 billion of the earth's inhabitants. There is only a fraction of the population that survives.

Science fiction enters the story at this point. In the future, they send back a person through time, to try and prevent the pandemic from ever taking place. If you are not a science fiction buff, you will probably not find this series intriguing. Still, it does cause one to stop and think about the possibilities of such a pandemic.

We spend billions worldwide to try and discover the causes and treatments for cancer, heart disease, and many other serious human ailments. We spend only a fraction of our medical budgets trying to discover cures for viral infections.

Currently there is a virus that causes a very high death rate. You have all heard of it, it is called Ebola. If there is anything good about Ebola, it is that it is only spread through direct bodily contact (such as fluids). The common flu is much more sinister. You can literally pick up the flu virus just by touching something someone infected by touching, coughing, or sneezing.

It is ironic, that Ebola in many ways is easier to control than the common flu. The next worldwide pandemic would probably never be a virus like Ebola. No, if we see another 1918 pandemic, it will most likely be a simple mutation of one of the common flu virus strains.

One good thing that we humans have is the ability to develop our own immunities. Each time you have contracted a common cold or intestinal flu during your life, your body has manufactured what doctors call "antibodies." These antibodies in essence kill infections.

That particular strain of the flu can never hit you again, because your body has developed a defense. Unfortunately, as previously stated, the influenza viruses tend to mutate.

Can another 1918 pandemic happen again? That answer is unknown, but it does indicate, that we should put more efforts into prevention and treatment. The flu is no fun, and it can be deadly to millions.