top of page

Spanish Flu vs Covid-19

by Kenneth Lyen

Masks-1918-vs-2020 gif.gif
1 Electron Microscopy Sp Flu vs Covid19.
1a Spanish Flu vs Covid-19.jpg

INTRODUCTION

The new type of coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19), is sweeping around the world, causing medical and economic chaos. Just over 100 years ago, another pandemic, the Spanish Flu, caused even greater upheaval worldwide. While there are many differences, there are some uncanny similarities. I will try to capture some of these resemblances, using pictures and photographs whenever I can find comparable images.

In both pandemics, the world was largely unprepared to deal with the scale of the problem. The number of people infected was colossal, and the hospitals were unable to cope with the sudden surge in critically ill patients. The mortality was significant, and handling the large number of dead bodies was problematic. Restriction in travel, closure of factories, restaurants, entertainment and other businesses caused economic chaos. The 1918 flu had lasting geopolitical influences, and it appears that Covid-19 will also make its mark on our future.

2 Patient Sp FLu vs Covid19.jpg

                                       1918 SPANISH FLU                                           2019 COVID-19

First detection:             March 1918                                                     December 2019

 

Global cases:                500 million                                                       Over 4 million and counting

Incubation Period:        2 to 7 days                                                      5 to 6 days (range 2 to 14 days)

Spanish Flu Map gif.gif
Covid-19 World Map gif.gif
Spanish Flu vs Covid-19 Deaths crop.v1.j

                           1918 SPANISH FLU                                    2019 COVID-19

Global Deaths:    Over 50 million                                         Over 293,000 and counting

Death Rate:         1%                                                            1 - 3%

Age Specific Mortality: Infants and Young People               Young Adults and Elderly

 

Transmission:    Spread through respiratory droplets          Respiratory droplets along with feces

                                                                                            and other bodily secretions

 

Most affected groups: Healthy adults ages 20-40               Adults over 65 with underlying health conditions;

                                                                                            children (2.4% of cases) seem to be spared and are                                                                                                    experiencing milder symptoms

 

Treatments available:    None                                             None; supportive care, paracetamol for fever;                                                                                                            respiratory support; antibiotics for secondary                                                                                                            bacterial pneumonia, and antivirals are                                                                                                                       administered  to help with recovery

Spanish Flu vs Covid-19 2 Use of Masks.v
5 Masks Sp FLu vs Covid19.jpg
6 Handwashing Sp Flu vs Covid19.jpg
7 Hospital Wards Sp Flu vs Covid19.jpg
8 Antiseptic Spray Sp Flu vs Covid19.jpg
9 Advice for Sp Flu vs Covid19.jpg
10 Public Places Closed Sp Flu vs Covid1
11 Food Issues Sp Flu vs Covid19.jpg
12 Quack Cures Sp Flu vs Covid19.jpg
13 We Stay Here For You.jpg

Vaccines available:           None                                                        Currently being developed

 

End of pandemic:             Summer 1919                                           Not known

Animal Origin:                  Birds, Swine                                              Bats, Pangolins 

WHAT LESSONS CAN WE DRAW FROM THE 1918 SPANISH FLU?

There have been many parallels between the 1918 Spanish Flu and Covid-19. Both caught the world unprepared, spreading rapidly to infect millions and killing humongous numbers of people. Neither infection had any effective medicines to eradicate the virus, and at the height of the pandemic, no vaccines were available. Social distancing, wearing of masks, and good hygiene practices were recommended for both. The effects on the economy was distressing for both pandemics.

There is one observation that we should take note of. Namely, in the 1918 Spanish Flu, many countries thought the flu was over, and people started to gather together in crowds, and some even to celebrate. Unfortunately they celebrated too soon. The falling rates of infection gave one a false sense of security, but the virus was hiding in some people, waiting to rear its ugly head. And indeed, it led to a second wave of the Spanish Flu, which actually infected and killed far more people than the first wave. Therefore, with Covid-19, we should be a bit more careful, and keep a lookout for potential hidden cases or carriers, which can spark a second wave of the current pandemic.

 

The problem is knowing when to relax or lift restrictive "circuit breaker" or lockdown measures. If the timing is too soon, then it allows excessive freedom of movement, enabling hidden carriers to spread the disease. This decision requires a fine balance of judgement, and we can never be sure if we have timed it right. If we relax these constraints to early, and a second wave of infections erupts, there will always be critics who will blame you: "I told you so!" Hindsight, as they say, is 20/20.

CONCLUSIONS:

Covid-19, the new type of coronavirus illness, is not the first life-threatening disease causing a global pandemic, nor will it be the last. Several learning points have arisen from these devastating pandemics. One cannot hide the disease, so transparency and openness are essential. Anticipation and preparedness for such diseases are mandatory if we are to prevent future catastrophes. The splintering of different countries leads to distrust and delay in the distribution of information. Technical innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of the diseases should be freely shared. The disease has brought out the worst and the best in us. We have people not taking the infection seriously, but we have also seen selfless caring and sacrifices made by total strangers to the sick and dying. These altruistic acts will leave a permanent mark on our future. We need to unite to fight this disease.

 

Together we can overcome!

REFERENCES:

How the Spanish Flu is similar and different from the coronavirus: https://globalnews.ca/news/6707118/coronavirus-spanish-flu-comparison/


What 1918 Spanish Flu Death Toll Tells Us About COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=228841

Why we should stop comparing the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak to the 1918 Spanish flu

https://www.vox.com/2020/3/9/21164957/covid-19-spanish-flu-mortality-rate-death-rate

Here’s How COVID-19 Compares to Past Outbreaks

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-deadly-is-the-coronavirus-compared-to-past-outbreaks#20142016-Ebola

 

Comparing 1918 Spanish Flu with Covid-19

https://www.biospace.com/article/compare-1918-spanish-influenza-pandemic-versus-covid-19/

Spanish Flu Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu

 

Spanish Flu: https://ourworldindata.org/spanish-flu-largest-influenza-pandemic-in-history

 

Second wave of Spanish Flu more deadly: https://www.history.com/news/spanish-flu-second-wave-resurgence

 

Second wave of Spanish Flu killed more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/04/25/fact-check-total-deaths-each-spanish-flu-wave-unknown/3024648001/

Covid-19 in Singapore: https://kenlyen.wixsite.com/website/covid-19-in-singapore

 

Written by Kenneth Lyen

Updated 12 April 2020, updated 13 May 2020

Rainbow Ctr 30th Anniv 18 May 2017 (1) a
bottom of page