Spanish Flu

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the term Spanish flu popped up a lot in the news and on social media. Journalists often referred to the lessons learned in the past, hoping to give us clues on how the coronavirus pandemic might play out.

What Was the Spanish Flu?

The Spanish flu pandemic is considered the worst pandemic in recent history, killing an estimated 50 million people worldwide and infecting as many as 500 million! Like any other flu, it was a respiratory virus. The first wave of infections was relatively mild, and people had traditional flu symptoms. However, things changed in the fall of 1918. A second wave of infections caused millions to die shortly after showing symptoms.

The Spanish flu was caused by an H1N1 avian influenza virus.

How Did the Spanish Flu Spread Internationally?

World War I was ending right as the Spanish flu was starting. The first cases were detected in spring 1918, and World War I ended on November 11, 1918—right in the middle of the second, and deadliest, wave of the Spanish flu. The movement of troops between North America and Europe almost certainly contributed to the international spread of the virus.

The Spanish Flu Wasn’t Spanish!

Despite its name, the Spanish flu didn’t originate in Spain. In fact, the Spanish allegedly called it the “French flu” because they thought it came from France! The name Spanish flu caught on because the first media reports of the flu came from Madrid. In 1918, World War I was raging throughout Europe. Spain remained neutral during the war, which meant that wartime censors were not operating in the country. Reporters in Madrid were the first to talk about the flu in the spring of 1918. Despite the original reports coming from Madrid, experts are not entirely certain where the flu actually originated.

How Was the Spanish Flu Similar to the Coronavirus Pandemic?

You may have seen photos from the times of the Spanish flu circulating on social media. Even back then, people were ordered to wear masks and isolate at home if they were sick! Businesses and schools also closed, hoping to detener la propagación(stop the spread). And just like we have seen recently, people came up with their own ideas about how to prevent the flu. One of these remedios caseros(home remedies) for flu prevention was to wear a small bag with camphor, an ingredient in Vicks VapoRub, around one’s neck!

How Did It All End?

After four waves of the Spanish flu between spring 1918 and spring 1920, the Spanish flu slowly disappeared. By 1920, the virus had evolved and became less deadly.

Flu-Related Vocabulary

Do you need to talk about the flu? Use these words to help you!