What the Spanish Flu Outbreak Has Taught Us about the Coronavirus Pandemic

A century ago, the influenza outbreak had many lessons in store for how we, as a society, can tackle the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The Spanish flu pandemic left tens of millions of people dead, but there is hope for the current healthcare crisis as not only has virology developed by leaps and bounds since then, vaccines are also in widespread usage. Information is made available instantaneously today. Yet, many of the measures being advised to the public by health advisory bodies to battle the Coronavirus pandemic are the same as were advised for the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic. Why is this, and what can the "biggest pandemic in history" so far teach us about how to battle our current situation? Let's find out.

How the Spanish Flu Outbreak of 1918 is Similar to the Coronavirus Pandemic Today

Back in 1918, there was little for doctors and medical professionals to help out patients who contracted the influenza virus. The situation today is not much different. Although in our contemporary times, the medical field has improved a lot when compared to then and can now provide seriously ailing patients with IV support and respirators – there is one major commonality that persists. There was no vaccine available to treat the pandemic patients then and there are no vaccines that have been developed to neutralize the coronavirus, once somebody contracts it, today.

Resilience is On Our Side

Humankind has struggled and overcome pandemics ever since its inception on Earth. Antiquated prevention norms such as social distancing might seem disruptive, but they are succeeding in their objective i.e. to buy our population time until a vaccine has been developed.

Not just in the case of the 1918 influenza pandemic, early preventative measures, when enforced, have been very effective in controlling infection spread even during the 2009 Swine flu outbreak in Mexico.

History warns us that if we ease protective prohibitory norms on regular behavior during a pandemic, such as the one which was allowed in the US during the Spanish flu contagion – we risk a stronger recurrence of the contagion.

The reason our current healthcare crisis is being compared so frequently with the Spanish flu pandemic is that it is the worst case scenario that can be anticipated. However, we must not lose hope. We have novel ways of communication and new technology that conveniences our lives today, making social distancing so much easier. Yes, the times are difficult and we might be struggling to adjust. The good news is, humanity has always persevered through pandemics – we have lived to tell the tale.

Stay Healthy and Follow Healthcare Advisory

The only thing to do really is wait and keep your immunity fighting fit. You don't want your immune system to fall weak during a pandemic. Eat right, follow healthy lifestyle habits and get sufficient rest. If you feel ill, schedule a telemedicine session with Phoenix Family Health Clinic for your own home's safety. Our healthcare advisors will hear your concerns and recommend you ways in which you can keep yourself safe and protected from the Novel Coronavirus contagion. Wishing you the best of health and happiness.

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