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During the twentieth century the world had experienced three pandemics.

The Spanish flu of 1918-1919 was a pandemic that swept across the world in three phases. The first phase would last for about twelve weeks then suddenly disappear only to return several months later with a vengeance. It has been said that more people died during that pandemic than during world war one. The global spread and severity was greatly influenced by the movement of troops during the war. About 25 percent of the global population was infected. An estimate of around 50 million people died with an unusual high number of young, healthy people between the ages of 15-35. The Australian people were not infected until 1919 because their government implemented a quarantine. Around 10,000 young Australian adults died.

The 1957-1958 pandemic was called the Asian Flu. The Asian flu infected a lot of people but was considered mild compared to the Spanish flu. It killed about 2 million people. The first wave infected school-aged children. The second wave infected the elderly. Genetic re-assortment of a bird virus was responsible for that pandemic.

The 1968-1970 pandemic also known as the Hong Kong Flu was also considered mild compared to the Spanish Flu. It was thought to have killed about 1 million people. It mainly infected the elderly and also arose from a genetic re-assortment.

A pandemic can occur any time of the year where seasonal flu occurs during the winter months. A pandemic is a serious infection for everyone. Even with medical treatment some people may not recover. People of all ages may be at risk for a serious illness. There will be a limited supply of anti-viral drugs available.

Symptoms of a pandemic flu are fever, muscle pain and weakness, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, cough, tiredness, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea especially in children.

It is difficult to say how long a pandemic will last. What we do know is that pandemics generally occur in waves. The first wave may last for six to eight weeks. The second wave could follow six to nine months later. There could also be a third wave. During a pandemic communities could expect to deal with its effects for 12-18 months. During a pandemic everyone is at risk. Until it starts spreading it is difficult to determine who will be most likely to contract it.

The pandemics flu is droplets that spread when people cough, sneeze then touch other objects and some one else comes along and touches the same surface and then touch their face or mouth. It is extremely important to wash your hand and clean any surfaces that a sick person may touch. Have them wear a mask to prevent coughing and sneezing on surfaces. Masks also help prevent airborne droplets. No one is safe from a pandemic.

Learn more about this author, Betty Jo Hawkins.
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