Pandemic+influenza

= Pandemic Influenza =

Pandemic Influenza is a spread of influenza across all continents. It is a world wide infection that can occur at any time. Influenza can cause both a high or low mortality rate. This depends on the virility of each particular strain, complications that may arise and the treatments available. 6]

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The 1918 influenza pandemic claimed the lives of 40-50 million people. The vast majority of these deaths (estimated to be as high as 90%) are thought to be from secondary bacterial infection leading to bacterial pneumonia and subsequent respiratory failure 6, 11].

In 1957 another pandemic struck the world. The H2N2 strain again had a high mortality rate, though death resulting from bacterial super infection had dropped to 75%. Antibiotics were much more widespread and administered during this period, when compared with the 1918-19 pandemic. This is thought to have played a large role in reducing the death toll 9].

During the 2009 pandemic almost all patients hospitalized were treated with antibiotics. This is thought to have contributed largely to the low presence of secondary bacterial infection and overall low mortality rate. It must also be noted that 1918-19 H1N1 was a more virulent strain than that of the 2009 pandemic 8, 21].