The word of Influenza
The word influenza is Italian for influence, as in the astral or occult influence of a visitation or outbreak that affects many people at the same time. First used in 1504, the word signified any disease epidemics.
In a severe flu outbreak of 1743 the word influenza was applied to the epidemic that began in Italy and spread throughout Europe.
Since then, the influenza, shortened to flu, means a serious infectious disease characterized by muscle and joint aching, prostration, and respiratory congestion with fever and headache.
It was not until 1931 that an influenza virus was identified in pigs, and finally in 1933 a human influenza virus was discovered by three researchers: Smith, Andrewes, and Laidlaw.
Both of these viruses were closely related to the Spanish flu virus of 1918. During the time of the 1918 flu pandemic, however, the suspected culprit was a bacterium named Hemophilus influenza. Viruses had not yet been discovered.
Although most people consider the flu simply and annoyance, and possibly a danger to seniors in poor health, influenza has been responsible for repeated, devastating worldwide pandemics capable of bringing entire nations to their knees.
It is hard to imagine today, but in 1918 the entire world was in the clutches of a deadly flu virus. The 1918 flu still remains the greatest plague the world has ever seen.
The word of Influenza
