Forum 4

Forum 4

by Deleted user -
Number of replies: 4

I think it is entirely possible that another major flu pandemic could occur. However, with our modern medicine and advanced healthcare facilities I think it would be unlikely that there is a 20% fatality rate, like the flu in 1918. For influenza to be pandemic it would have to be something that no one had prior exposure to and therefor no immunity. So, if this were to happen it would have to be from somewhere very isolated or mutate to a form that our immune systems don’t recognize. If something like this were to occur, it would have a major impact on our daily lives. Schools and workplaces would likely shut down, vaccines and medicine would become limited, and hospitals would likely be overcrowded. It is extremely scary to think about, especially after watching the documentary on the 1918 flu and seeing the effects it had on society then.

            As I said earlier, I am confident in our current healthcare system and its ability to prevent a high fatality rate. As I researched the possibility of a mass flu pandemic, I discovered that our government and the CDC have been preparing for something like this for years. They have global monitoring to follow the trends of current influenza outbreaks and determine the severity of them, they have stocked vaccines and other medicines that are only to be used in a pandemic outbreak, and they have people studying the past outbreaks we had in the 20th century to ensure we don’t make the same mistakes twice. Overall, I think that influenza is an extremely dangerous and contagious infection that has the potential to become widespread, but I have faith in the ability of our current systems to stop an outbreak before it became a pandemic.

 


“How Is Pandemic Flu Different from Seasonal Flu?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7 May 2019, www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/basics/about.html.

 

“Pandemic Influenza.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 Jan. 2019, www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/index.htm.

 

 


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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Forum 4

by Deleted user -
Hi Luke, seeing this video of the 1918 flu was extremely scary to see the effects it had on these people. In today’s society I also feel like we have enough exposure and preventative measures to prevent another big outbreak like this. I do feel like we’re prepared for another flu pandemic because it could likely happen but I don’t think that will be the next big one. In my opinion the next big one will be something we’re completely unaware of or don’t have the knowledge to cure it which will take lots of research and experience which we may not have enough time for that if it’s something so deadly but I feel like we have good healthcare systems nowadays and I’m confident they will be able to keep whatever comes at us under control.

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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Forum 4

by Deleted user -
I completely agree Luke! If the Next Big One just so happen to be influenza or a mutated strain of it I believe our health care system has gone above and beyond preparing for it. I think it is very interesting how you said an outbreak like this would impact our everyday lives. I haven’t necessarily though of it in that way but you’re right. Something like the flu can spread so easily and so fast that I’m sure several people would take staying safe in their homes into consideration. I agree that the video was an eye opener and it is very scary. Do you think the yearly flu season will eventually enhance our chances of another influenza outbreak? Maybe as the years go on the the flu strains keep mutating there will come a time where the CDC and other health systems aren’t prepared? Just a thought!

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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Forum 4

by Deleted user -
I completely agree with you. I also read that the CDC and government have been preparing for another big pandemic and monitoring it very closely. With that, all of our technology, and our advancements in medicine, I do not think that another flu virus could have a 20% fatality rate like the flu of 1918. I agree that whatever the next big one is has to be something that our immune system does not recognize. I also think it is going to have to be something that people in the medical field do not recognize either. With those qualities and more, I think the next big pandemic can reach the same fatality rate as the flu of 1918.

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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Forum 4

by Morgan McGuire -
Hey Luke! I Also thought that the flu would be the next big one, the Avian flu specifically. Although you said that with modern medicine the fatality rate would probably not reach 20% I agree and disagree with you on that. I think in well developed countries we would certainly be affected by an outbreak; however, the countries that aren’t as developed would certainly suffer. I like the point you made about immunity, if no one was exposed then it would be even harder to fight it. Out of all the things you said, it was very reassuring to hear that the CDC has been preparing for an outbreak that will inevitably occur and I hope you are correct in saying the health care system will be able to take care of the problem before it kills an immeasurable amount of people. In addition, the thought of schools and workplaces down is really scary and I hope I never have to see a disease that gets that bad.

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