What I'm trying to ask is this: in the modern day, we get our flu shot once a year to fight the ever mutating strains of influenza. Was this seasonal reaccurance of influenza common before 1918 - or did the pandemic begin the yearly cycle?
Experts tell us COVID-19 will likely be with us forever. Requiring regular vaccines to fight the constantly evolving virus - much like we already do with the flu. I was curious if the 1918 pandemic similarly started our now-familiar relationship with the flu.
What I'm trying to ask is this: in the modern day, we get our flu shot once a year to fight the ever mutating strains of influenza. Was this seasonal reaccurance of influenza common before 1918 - or did the pandemic begin the yearly cycle?
The cycle has been going for quite some time at the least, but certainly before 1918. We have direct confirmatory evidence of the 1889 pandemic prior and reason for seasonal spread since in the intervening period, as well as a non-pandemic virus in circulation prior to the 1918 that is distinct from the 1889 pandemic virus. If you look at animals, this is also similar--constant virus circulation and churn--but the pressures here are different so it's not the most valid comparison.
I was curious if the 1918 pandemic similarly started our now-familiar relationship with the flu.
It's just the first one of relative modernity, and a very serious punctuating event.