Where did the Spanish Flu start? Not geologically, but who or what did it start from? Since we called it an infulenza pandemic did it start from a bird? And once this flu was transmitted to a human how could another human catch the flu?
The Spanish Flu, also known as the 1918 influenza pandemic, originated during World War I. The exact origin is still debated among scientists, but it is believed to have originated from avian (bird) influenza viruses. The virus likely experienced a genetic mutation or recombination that made it highly contagious and transmissible from birds to humans.
There are two main ways that a human can catch the flu from another human:
1. Direct contact transmission: When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, they release tiny droplets containing the virus into the air. Another person can become infected if they inhale these droplets. Alternatively, if an infected person touches a surface (such as a doorknob or a handrail) and another person touches that surface and then touches their face, particularly their nose, mouth, or eyes, they may also become infected.
2. Indirect contact transmission: Flu viruses can survive on surfaces for a short period. If an infected person touches a surface with the virus on it, and then someone else touches the same surface and subsequently touches their face, they can become infected.
It is important to note that the Spanish Flu was exceptionally contagious, and even a single exposure to the virus could transmit the infection. Additionally, the most severe cases of the Spanish Flu were not caused solely by the virus itself but by an overwhelming immune response known as a cytokine storm, which led to severe respiratory problems and high mortality rates.