Influenza
... Influenza, by definition, is a “contagious viral infection characterized by fever, chills, congestion, and muscular pain” (Text p. ... In 1918 an unusual strain of influenza swept across the world causing millions of deaths. ... From Boston, influenza spread down the eastern seaboard to New York, moved west to Philadelphia, and spread west throughout the country to San Francisco. ... ” (Link- PBS) October seemed to be the deadliest month claiming 195,000 Americans lives to influenza. In New York, 851 people died of influenza in a single day. On October 6, Philadelphia posted 289 deaths by influenza in a single day. ... On November 21, sirens went off signaling San Franciscans that it was safe to take off the facemasks, but at that point influenza took 2,122 lives, and by December “5,000 new cases of influenza were reported in San Francisco” (Link- PBS). ... Approximately half the Indian populations on reservations were struck with influenza. During the war, some units lost 80% of their men due to influenza. ... By the time the epidemic ran its course, influenza took the lives of 600,000 Americans, and 30 million people worldwide (Film). ... Medical science was developing vaccines and medications for some of the most fearful illness, but when it turned out they had a hard time stopping influenza, suspicion and blame set in. Seeing as it was a time of war, Americans pointed the finger at the Germans, claiming biological warfare, blaming them for setting the influenza virus free.