The 1918-1920 influenza pandemic, commonly known as the "Spanish flu," was one of the deadliest pandemics in history. It infected approximately 500 million people, about one-third of the world's population at the time15.
Estimates of the death toll vary widely:
The United States alone lost 675,000 people to the Spanish flu9.
The name "Spanish flu" is a misnomer6. It originated due to wartime censorship in belligerent countries, while neutral Spain freely reported on the outbreak, creating a false impression of Spain as the epicenter1. The term "influenza" itself comes from Italian, meaning "visitation" or "influence," dating back to 1357 when people believed illnesses were influenced by heavenly bodies2.
There was no cure for the Spanish flu in 1918. Treatment was largely symptomatic and included:
Some experimental treatments included:
The most effective treatment was bedrest, good nursing, and supportive care7. Pharmaceutical companies worked to develop a vaccine but were unsuccessful as the virus disappeared before they could isolate it9. Interestingly, some open-air hospitals reported success in treating patients with a combination of fresh air, sunlight, hygiene standards, and reusable face masks, which appeared to reduce deaths among some patients11.