ABSTRACT
The syphilis and COVID-19 pandemics have marked a turning point in the history of mankind. The aim of this review is to analyze what two pandemics caused by different diseases have in common. It is a scoping review made up of papers covering everything related to syphilis and COVID-19. The dialectical structural model of care (DSMC) is applied, focusing on three thematic plots that explain the historical and current context of the topic addressed. To this end, we compiled information from books, journals, and databases such as Cochrane, National Library of Spain, PubMed/Medline, Scielo, and Google Scholar. Syphilis is a bacterial disease transmitted sexually. COVID-19 is a viral infection transmitted by droplets. Despite their similarities and differences, both have triggered pandemics that have claimed the lives of thousands of people. Both still exist as active diseases. The origin of both remains a scientific enigma;many human and material resources have been devoted to tackling these two infections, and a wide range of drugs have been developed to combat them. © 2023 by the authors.
ABSTRACT
Background: Humanity has so far faced multiple pandemics, with swift propagation and high morbimortality rates. Objective: To compare the social and health impact of the Spanish flu of 1918 and SARS-CoV-2. Methodology: Historical-descriptive study on the 1918 flu and SARS-CoV-2. Data were collected on health protocols through the analysis of international organizations, books, and scientific articles. An interpretative analysis was performed based on the dates and events of the period under study. Results: The Spanish flu occurred in 3 stages, the first in March 1918 and the last in 1919. SARS-CoV-2 started in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 but spread worldwide in March 2020 and a new wave is expected. As of now, July 2020, the Spanish flu has had the highest number of victims, although both pandemics have had worldwide repercussions, accounting for many deaths. Conclusion: The lack of knowledge about these diseases, the absence of treatment and vaccines, as well as the scarcity of resources for the high rate of patients’ needs have been a global challenge. © 2021, Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra. All rights reserved.