Blog 2

The unknown in the world spikes curiosity but also fear. Many individuals are frightened by questions that cannot be answered and the occurrence of unpredictable events, but I want to be able to help discover those answers. In 1918, no one was prepared nor imagined the influenza pandemic. Influenza killed several million people in various areas, among different age groups, and throughout a variety of cultures. The lack of technology and modern medicine in the early 1900s allowed the virus to have such high mortality rates. No one knew how to stop or even control influenza. Good nursing care was the best remedy for the infected because medicine was not an option. The influenza virus is much more severe than the common seasonal flu. Influenza symptoms last for two weeks or longer and include high fever, fatigue, dry cough, and headaches. The common flu usually affects the very young and very old, whereas influenza in 1918 affected many young adults. In 2013, even with the advancement of technology and ongoing research, the virus is still unpredictable. It is now known, that the virus can be transmitted through airborne droplets, hand contact, or contact with a contaminated surface. Healthcare professionals, public health educators, and epidemiologists are continuously working together to understand unpredictable illnesses, like influenza and other unanswered questions about health and disease to better prepare the public for future events. As a newcomer to epidemiology, I am fascinated by the ever changing field of healthcare and disease. I learned in a previous class on infectious diseases, as our technology advances, more complex viruses and diseases began to emerge. It is worrisome to imagine a future pandemic or epidemic could strike the United States like the influenza of 1918, but as the field of epidemiology continues to grow we can keep up with the ever changing world of health.
See you next Wednesday and remember to always wash your hands!