The Primary Victims of the Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919 Were

Question

The primary victims of the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 were
A)members of the military.
B)infants and the elderly.
C)residents of Spain;therefore,it was known as the "Spanish Flu."
D)young adults.
E)residents of the U.S.

Accepted Answer

The primary victims of the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 were young adults, particularly those between the ages of 20 and 40. This is unusual, as seasonal flu outbreaks typically affect the very young and the very old more severely. The reasons for this age distribution are not entirely clear, but it is thought to be due in part to the fact that the virus caused an overreaction of the immune system, leading to a cytokine storm that was particularly lethal in young, healthy individuals.