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Pandemic is the worldwide spread of a disease. Understand the scenario and learn about the main examples

Image: Brian McGowan in Unsplash

Pandemic is the worldwide spread of a disease. The term is used when an epidemic - a large outbreak that affects a region - spreads across different continents, with sustained transmission between people. This occurs when the spread of the pathogen takes place at the same time through unidentified sources and those that have not been abroad. This type of transmission results in a drastic increase in the number of contagion cases and makes it difficult to fight a pandemic, since the cases have an unknown origin and happen indiscriminately.

Countries on all continents need to have confirmed cases of a disease for the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the existence of a pandemic. Currently, pandemics can occur more easily, as the large movement of people between countries favors the spread of diseases. Discover the main pandemics that hit the planet.

Spanish flu

The Spanish flu was a violent pandemic that hit the world between 1918 and 1919, causing millions of deaths, especially among the young sectors of the population. Considered the most severe pandemic in human history, it was caused by the unusual virulence of a strain of the Influenza A virus, of the H1N1 subtype.

The Spanish flu got its name from the fact that much of the information about the disease came from the Spanish press. Newspapers in that country, which remained neutral during World War I (1914-1918), were not censored for news about the epidemic, which was not the case with the press in countries that were at war. Therefore, as soon as the flu arrived in a country, it was called “Spanish”.

Despite its unknown origin, it is estimated that the pandemic affected, directly or indirectly, around 50% of the world population, having killed between 20 and 40 million people - more than the First War itself (which left around 15 millions of victims). For this reason, the Spanish flu was classified as the most serious epidemic conflict of all time.

AIDS

AIDS, caused by the HIV virus, is another pandemic that is currently very well known. This virus attacks the blood cells that command the immune system, responsible for the body's defense. Once infected, these cells lose the ability to protect the human body, which starts to contract diseases that would not affect a healthy person.

• Learn more about how this virus is reproduced in the article "What are viruses?"

The HIV virus can be transmitted in the following ways:

sexual intercourse

The AIDS virus can be transmitted in any and all sexual relations – anal, oral and vaginal – with unprotected penetration. A condom is needed from beginning to end of the sexual act.

Blood transfusion

HIV can be transmitted through transfusion of contaminated blood. If you need a transfusion, it is important to require blood with an HIV test certificate.

Materials that pierce or cut the skin

Sharing syringes, needles and other materials that pierce or cut the skin is risky behavior for HIV infection. If the blood of an infected person remains in the material, the virus is passed on to whoever uses it. It is recommended to always use disposable or properly sterilized materials.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Vertical transmission of the HIV virus can occur from mother to child during pregnancy, during childbirth or when the baby is breastfeeding. In these phases, contact with contaminated fluids, both in the amniotic fluid and in breast milk, can lead the child to develop the disease even before the first years of life. Blood testing and prenatal care from early pregnancy are important to protect the baby.

The main symptoms of AIDS are coughing and wheezing, difficulty in swallowing, diarrhea, fever, loss of vision, mental confusion, abdominal cramps and vomiting. Prevention against this disease consists of using condoms and blood testing before any transfusions.

H1N1

The H1N1 flu, or Influenza A, is a disease caused by the H1N1 virus, a subtype of Influenza A. This virus arose from the combination of genetic segments from three other viruses: human flu, avian flu and flu porcine (name by which H1N1 was initially known). This happened when these three viruses infected pigs simultaneously and ended up mixing together, giving rise to H1N1.

The incubation period for the virus varies from three to five days. Transmission, which can occur before symptoms appear, occurs through direct contact with animals or contaminated objects, and from person to person by air or through saliva particles and airway secretions. The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to those caused by other flu viruses. However, special care is required for the person who has a fever above 38 degrees; and muscle, head, throat and joint pain.

To protect yourself from infection or prevent transmission of the virus, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends:

• Wash your hands frequently with plenty of water and soap or disinfect them with alcohol-based products;
• Discard the disposable tissues used to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze;
• Avoid crowding and contact with sick people;
• Do not put your hands to your eyes, mouth or nose after touching objects of collective use;
• Do not share glasses, cutlery or personal effects;
• Suspend, as far as possible, travel to places where there are cases of the disease;
• Seek medical assistance if the patient belongs to a risk group and if symptoms appear that could be confused with infection with the H1N1 influenza virus type A. In other cases, remain at rest and drink plenty of fluids to ensure good hydration.

Covid-19

Covid-19 is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a new virus belonging to the coronavirus family. In this family there are viruses that can cause infections, such as different types of cold, in animals and humans. In general, Covid-19 starts with a condition similar to flu and colds, but the symptoms can worsen for severe respiratory conditions and lead to death.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most patients with Covid-19 (approximately 80%) may be asymptomatic and the other 20% may need hospital care for having difficulty breathing. Of these more severe cases, approximately 5% may require ventilatory support to treat respiratory failure.

The first cases appeared in China, at the end of 2019. The disease then spread to several other countries, which led the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic state on March 11, 2020.

The main way in which the new coronavirus is spread is from person to person. The individual can be contaminated through the air or by personal contact with droplets of saliva, sneezing, coughing, phlegm or even taking the hand to the respiratory tract after touching or shaking hands with the infected person. In addition, it is also important to be aware of contact with contaminated objects or surfaces, followed by contact with the mouth, nose or eyes. Anyone who has close contact (about 1m) with someone with respiratory symptoms is at risk of being exposed to infection.

Covid-19 has an incubation period of about 14 days. The main symptoms of the disease are fever, dry cough and difficulty breathing. In addition, some patients may experience body aches, runny nose, fatigue, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste and smell.

Symptoms usually appear mild and gradual, and many patients can be cured without the need for special treatment. However, some people may experience aggravation of the disease, developing respiratory difficulty and other symptoms that can lead to death. Elderly people and individuals with previous health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes, are more likely to worsen the disease.

Among the measures to prevent contagion and prevent the spread of the disease, we can mention the importance of hand washing frequently with soap and water or 70% alcohol gel, in addition to avoiding agglomerations.

Prevention

The main way for countries to prevent the effects of a pandemic is to have surveillance systems that quickly detect cases, laboratories equipped to identify the causes of new diseases, have a team qualified to contain the outbreak, preventing new cases, and have crisis management systems to coordinate the response. Furthermore, restricting travel and trade and establishing quarantine are measures taken by the authorities to contain the spread of pandemics.

Finally, there are studies that prove that diseases transmitted from animals to humans are on the rise and worsen as wild habitats are destroyed by human activity. Scientists suggest that degraded habitats can incite and diversify disease, as pathogens easily spread to livestock and humans. This heightens the need to prepare for future pandemics and raises awareness of humankind's predatory behavior towards the rest of the planet.