At the end of WWI, in 1918, a horrible disease spread like wildfire, known as the “Spanish flu” or “Swine flu”. This was no common cold. This virus was more serious than people thought.

The disease of the century killed over 20 million people and affected over 50 million. This virus was before any medicine like we have today; before any doctors know how they could help patients. Another name for this nasty virus was the spanish flu, because it is believed to have started in Spain. However, it may have started in the U.S because a disease of hogs. It originally  started in Haskall County, Kansas. It happened more in cities because everyone was closer together.

Some people tried to take precautions, but the disease was too effective. It was no use. A couple symptoms were three days of fever, achy bones, and a runny nose. Other symptoms were much worse. They included: bloody spectrum, and lungs filled with reddish fluid. Even the worst patients’ skin turned blue. Some people’s feet even turned black, and most people died. They wore handkerchiefs, towels, cups, or cheese masks to prevent from not getting sick.

Two percent of the people in the world died from this influenza. The 20-40 age group were affected the most. In order to try to help from more people to sick an absolute quarantine went into effect. Any public or private gatherings were closed. This helped, but not much because influenza killed everyone so rapidly. The flu got weaker and weaker because the virus killed off all the weak people so all the strong people couldn’t get sick.

The outbreak was deadly and killed so many. Some people didn’t believe they could get sick, but if they did they would feel better then it would get worse. It was a hardship, but we overcame it.