COVID-19 versus the 1918 influenza pandemic: different virus, different age mortality patterns
G. Dennis Shanks
Abstract
The influenza pandemic of 1918-19 and the SARS-CoV 2 pandemic of 2020 had markedly different age mortality patterns. Influenza in 1918 particularly killed young adults whereas the elderly are most at risk from COVID-19. Mortality depends on complex host-pathogen interactions specific to the viral and human population’s history of infection.
Topics & Concepts
PandemicMedicineVirusVirologyCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Influenza A virusPopulationInfluenza pandemicHuman mortality from H5N12019-20 coronavirus outbreakSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)PathogenImmunologyOutbreakDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)Internal medicineEnvironmental healthCOVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesCOVID-19 epidemiological studiesInfluenza Virus Research Studies