While it isn’t the first time that a flu, such as the swine influenza, also known as H1N1, has made major headlines around the world, the recent breakout in Mexico has caused almost every nation to take precautions. There have been three major times in the past hundred years when a type of influenza has caused people to panic and fear on a grand scale. The H1N1 has once again caused the CDC (centers for disease control and prevention) to gain more knowledge, study research and take a more active part in understanding these genetic mechanisms.

The original outbreak that caused a great deal of fear and infirmity occurred in 1918. This was the legendary Spanish flu, which was actually a subtype of the H1N1 virus. This outbreak lasted for just 2 years throughout World War 1; however it caused approximately 50 million deaths during that brief period of time. This is a huge amount, and was in fact equal to roughly 3% of the earth’s inhabitants at the time. To place this figure in perspective, there were roughly 15 million deaths attributed to the First World War, which spanned four years.

The subsequent epidemic was actually less critical with regard to reach and individuals impacted, but the response to that influenza is what makes it stand out in our history. In 1976, folks living at Fort Dix contracted flu symptoms, and so much concern of a repeat of what had occurred in 1918 caused the US government to produce a vaccine for the whole nation to protect public health. Although that swine flu never went beyond Fort Dix, the vaccine was recommended for everyone in the country. Unhappily, a good number of life-threatening side effects and fatalities resulted from the vaccine, resulting in more harm than the flu itself.

These two historical occurrences are often being referred to when discussing the most recent spread of swine influenza. In Mexico, April 2009, many people became ill or died from this flu, and while it seemed like this was a brand new outbreak, reports have since shown that many months before the H1N1 influenza activity was already being experienced by people, yet wasn’t revealed to the world until much later. Many topics of conversation around the world have to do with the swine flu and many people are becoming fearful and panicky. Many have reported that they fear that sickness and death could reach the levels seen in 1918. They are concerned about the government’s approved vaccine, hoping that what happened in 1976 won’t happen again.

It has become clear by looking at the history of influenza over the past one hundred years that the danger of the flu is not something to be ignored. As we can see from what happened at the beginning of the century, a pandemic is a very serious concern. Regardless if a pandemic occurs, the facts show that a high number of people die from the flu each and every year. Protect yourself and your family by taking the necessary precautions to remain physically healthy during the course of this swine influenza.

Everywhere you turn, H1N1 is in the news. Is it really that big a concern? Find out important information at H1N1 Swine Flu Facts.

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