Short History Of... The Spanish Flu
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Jun 22, 2025 
Mark Honigsbaum, a medical historian and author of The Pandemic Century, dives into the harrowing world of the 1918 Spanish Flu. He discusses the pandemic's staggering death toll and its peculiar origins amidst World War I chaos. The conversation reveals how media censorship shaped public perception and the frantic race for a vaccine. Honigsbaum draws parallels with modern pandemics, emphasizing the lessons learned—or overlooked. This exploration sheds light on the societal impacts and the urgent need for better infectious disease management.
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Spanish Flu Origins at Camp Funston
- The Spanish flu began with sudden severe flu cases among soldiers at Camp Funston, Kansas in March 1918.
- Hundreds were admitted to the hospital within hours, overwhelming medical staff rapidly.
Unusual Mortality Pattern
- Unlike typical influenza strains, the Spanish flu disproportionately killed healthy adults aged 20 to 40.
- This unusual mortality pattern overwhelmed hospitals and societies worldwide during World War I.
Flu Spread Mechanism Explained
- Influenza spreads mostly in autumn and winter due to people gathering indoors and cold, damp weather aiding aerosol transmission.
- Aerosols carry virus particles when infected people breathe, talk, cough, or sneeze in unventilated indoor spaces.
