COVID-19 and the History of Pandemics: 1918 Flu Pandemic

Study the effects of a virulent flu outbreak that swept the world in 1918 and consider what we can learn from past medical and governmental responses as we face modern health crises. The influenza outbreak of 1918 began for victims as a set of familiar, seasonal flu-like symptoms: high fever, body ache, and cough. But those infected suffered a new set of alarming symptoms as well: severe headaches, bleeding from the nose and eyes, and cyanosis, a distressing lack of oxygen signaled by blue lips and fingertips. Some patients coughed so violently they tore their abdominal muscles. Autopsies of the dead revealed more: blood on the brain, damaged kidneys, and lungs that were said by World War I surgeons to look like those of soldiers who had suffered gas attacks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the 1918 flu, an H1N1 virus of avian origin, is estimated to have infected about one-third of the world’s population, and to have killed 50 million people worldwide. This course will lead you through the three waves of the global influenza infection (spring 1918, fall 1918, and spring 1919), reveal the role of the military in the spread of the disease across the globe, review therapeutics available and protocols implemented at the time, and document how corrupt politics and government mismanagement especially harmed vulnerable populations already struggling amidst the crisis.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the causes, spread, and impact of the 1918 flu pandemic.
• Analyze the role of historical factors, including war and politics, in the pandemic’s trajectory.
• Evaluate successes and failures in containment to inform current public health efforts.

Prior Learning

This noncredit course is beginner-friendly, with no prior expertise required. However, to ensure success, students should:

• Be comfortable reading and understanding English, as all materials are provided in English.
• Have basic computer skills, including navigating the internet, downloading/uploading files, installing software, and using applications like Microsoft Word.

These foundational skills will help you engage fully with our primarily online courses.

About the Series

This is the sixth course of the COVID-19 and the History of Pandemics series. This series offers a deep dive into six pandemics that profoundly altered human history. This interdisciplinary exploration connects the dots between scientific advances, cultural shifts, and governmental policies, revealing how societies have historically confronted widespread disease. By enrolling in the entire series, you’ll gain a nuanced perspective on pandemics as recurring phenomena, equipping you with a broader understanding of how past events inform present and future challenges. Together, these courses reveal the resilience, ingenuity, and cautionary tales that pandemics bring to light.