THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: THE IMPORTANCE OF A SHARED MEMORY

The Covid-19 pandemic brought back errors and difficulties that had already been experienced a century ago during the Spanish flu. Now that the pandemic phase of the infection is over, this article proposes a reflection on the years that have just passed, in the hope that the suffering, difficulties and social fracture it caused will not be forgotten and will be regarded as teachings when facing future health and social challenges.Copyright © 2023 Medico e Bambino. All rights reserved.

Reversible parkinsonism post combined infection with COVID- 19 and typhoid

Objective: To describe a case of levo-dopa responsive parkinsonism secondary to combined COVID-19 and Enteric fever in a patient Background: The first link between viruses and parkinsonism comes from the possible relationship between lethargic encephalitis and the Spanish flu of 1918.In addition, other viruses, including West Nile virus, herpes viruses, influenza A virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have been associated with parkinsonism Methods: A 31 years old presented with fever ,headache for 5 days followed by altered sensorium. At presentation he had neck rigidity ,was localizing to pain ,not fully oriented and not following verbal command but he had hypoxia and need nasal oxygen support.He had D-Dimer 12506,COVID-19 RTPCR positive and was treated with Remdesivir,ceftriaxone ,dexamethasone after which he had improvement in sensorium.At day 6 of illness he had generalized rigidity,bradykinesia with slow hypophonic speech and was needing support to sit and walk . A provisional diagnosis of infection related parkinsonism was considered and Cerebrospinal fluid study,MRI Brain and spine ,Blood culture were done .His Cerebrospinal fluid study has normal protein , glucose,cells, stains and culture and negative autoimmune and paraneoplastic plane . His urine culture,blood culture was positive for salmonella typhi and serum widal titre was 1:640.MRI Brain and spine does not show any new abnormalities except old trauma sequalae. He was treated with Levo-dopa carbidopa and titrated to a dose of 675 mg/day and had sustained improvement with levo-dopa carbidopa .There are 6 other case of COVID-19 associated parkinsonism in literature .There are also few case of typhoid associated case of parkinsonism described in literature . Our patient had combined infection of both COVID-19 and typhoid associated parkinsonism. Result(s): We report a case of Infection related parkinsonism secondary to combined COVID-19 plus typhoid infection Conclusion(s): Exploring the potential relationship of co-infection SARS-CoV-2 and Salmonella typhi infection with development of parkinsonism is essential because of the epidemiological implications,as well as to gain a better understanding of the pathophysiological aspects of these disorders.

Impact of Covid-19 in the Society and Culture of Assam and Its Future

The recent Outbreak of the Covid-19 from the Wuhan region of China has brought the critical situation and crisis to human species around the world. The issue of 'Human Security' has brought about the global crisis. It is now under discussion. There are new challenges around the world in the field of disease and treatment. The development of a health sector rather than military power can first protect the citizens of a country or nation. The same has been taught to the People of this generation. Basically, as a biological disaster, the disease has hit the socio-cultural and economic infrastructure of the world. 'Vasant roga' was recognized as a former world outbreak. The overall environment of the Concomitant outbreak after polio, plague, Spanish flu has caused a long-term crisis in the international economy, politics and health. The SARS-CoV-2 or the COVID-19 that affect more than 195 countries around the world at the same time are also challenges the scientific development of the world's advanced capitalist countries. The overall contribution of education technology and the discovery have been questioned. Out of the 195 countries around the world 84 countries have to be on the lock down. This is the first time in human civilization that so many countries are under lockdown. In this terrible situation every nation is moving towards economic slowdown. International communication, imports and exports have been stopped. There is a terrible danger to every government, private sector associated with labour and farmer class as well as the other professions. How will the future of a developing nation like India and a developing state like Assam be in this situation? How will this affect the society, literature and culture of Assam? The proposed issue is being researched for an academic discussion on the same.Copyright © 2020 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.

Encephalitis lethargica. What is still wrong?

Encephalitis lethargica developed in epidemic from 1919 to 1926 in Europe and throughout the world. From the clinical point of view, the disturbances of consciousness and alertness and the possible outcomes of a postencephalitic Parkinsonism has attracted much attention. For a long time, it was thought that such a disease may still occur sporadically. In this review, the authors examined historical and current pictures of epidemics that may be related to Encephalitis lethargica. The previous Nona and Russian Influenza exhibited frequent neurological symptoms. The Spanish flu, formerly related to Encephalitis lethargica, would appear an epidemic that had its development in a partially overlapping period. The current pandemic linked to COVID-19 sometimes has aspects that can resemble Encephalitis lethargica. Based on historical analysis and the more recent immunological data, it could be suggested that Encephalitis lethargica was an autoimmune encephalitis that arose in a secondary form to the action of a viral agent. It cannot be ruled out that this agent was a coronavirus. From the nosological point of view, the term Encephalitis lethargica should be abolished in designating autoimmune encephalitis pictures that run sporadically.

The Impact of the Spanish Flu on the Artiguense Society in 1918

Throughout history, mankind has faced epidemics and pandemics caused by microscopic organisms that, taking into account their biological condition, means of transport and mobility, have spread over large areas of territory affecting villages, societies and civilizations, causing serious damage depending on their aggressiveness. So far in the 21st century, the world has had to face several viral outbreaks that have caused millions of deaths, going from epidemic to pandemic in record time, largely due to two key factors: the aggressiveness and resistance of viruses and the increasingly faster and more accessible means of transportation. In relation to the aforementioned, the SARS-COV2, H1N1, INFLUENZA and its variants stand out and have seriously affected us as a society. In recent times we tend to believe that we are going through unprecedented moments of humanity where a great part of life in society is modified in order to face this situation, forgetting that every now and then a new virus emerges that forces us to reconfigure ourselves as a society and to fight it in order not to lose or get lost in the attempt. The Spanish Flu was an influenza that in its first outbreak in 1918 killed more than one million people in the world and spread throughout the five continents. It arrived in Uruguay around the same time it arrived in Argentina and Brazil, with reports of cases in the capital (Montevideo), and in a more generalized way in the interior of the country. Based on microhistory, a fieldwork research is carried out based on interviews with protagonists and health professionals, accompanied by studies of archival sources (Civil Registry and cemetery archives) and different materials, where the triangulation of information is sought to reach conclusions and new unknowns. The aim is to reveal the way in which the society of 1918 in the city of Artiguez went through the Spanish Flu pandemic, taking into account its geographical location and place of transit between Argentina and Brazil, economic resources and demographic development. As additional data, we can say that in the course of the research, the concept of Spanish Flu is problematized and new conclusions are reached.

Predicting Pandemic Curve Distribution Using Statistical Models

This article discusses the distribution of pandemic in the world and pandemic curve in Jordan and how the science of probability and statistics predict when active cases tend to zero by determining the shape of epidemic curve and relating it to a special probability distribution that has specific measures and properties. At the beginning of the outbreak of any virus in a society, reliable data describing it and its spread will be rare, hence researchers set up statistical models that have the ability to predict the spreads’ shape, where the prospected people hosting such viruses will go to and the likelihood of transmitting it to places they travel. Those models use known statistical measures that estimate the probability of disease transmission from infected people to others. In addition, the factors related to roads and people’s movement, taking into consideration, public health interventions, such as wearing masks, closing places of people’s aggregations like schools, universities mosques and churches and quarantine make difference in numbers of infected people. The fundamental differences between the “Spanish flu” that attacked the world a hundred years ago and “Coronavirus” the world facing since the beginning of the current year 2020 is the amount of huge data concluded from scientific studies and reports related to virology and epidemiology.

Staying connected in a disconnected COVID world with urology podcasts. A review of the growing trend

Introduction: The outbreak of the Wuhan Covid-19 virus has had a significant impact across all industries. How we practice, medicine has seen substantial change. Consequently, medical education has diminished as it has not been deemed essential given the current climate. Here in Australia and other parts of the globe, experienced education restrictions across all the Health Science Universities and university hospitals. Given the substantial research output in Urology and the necessity of local, national, and global conferences, education within the specialty has suffered. Therefore, there has been significant demand for medical education to be delivered through alternative mediums. In contrast to the Spanish flu of 1918- 1920, we have the luxury of modern technology and a plethora of platforms to deliver education in the field of Urology. One such platform is podcasts. Aim: We aim to investigate whether the Urology industry has invested in podcasts since the outbreak of COVID-19 to combat this educational dilemma. Methods: On October 12th, 2021, we searched the term Urology on Spotify. We excluded all non-English podcasts that were not Urology-focused, podcasts that didn't make Urology the focus, and channels that didn't show continued and consistent output, i.e., < 5 episodes. We included all podcasts that focused on Urology education, non-English podcats that were clearly Urology focused (i.e., Anotomia Urologica), and included podcats on sexual health that had a Urology focus (i.e. 'The Full release'). Results: We obtained 97 podcasts on the Spotify search engine using the above criteria. After excluding podcats based on our above methodology, we had 63 results. Of the 63 results, 33 were in English. Out of the 33 in English, one was on andrology, four on urological products, one on sexual health, two on Urology anecdotes, two on prostate health, 14 on general Urology education for trainees, two on urology pediatrics, 3 were patientfocused, three were for guideline updates and one on the news in Urology. Of the 63 podcasts, 53 were created post the outbreak of the COVID-19 outbreak. Conclusion: In conclusion, 84% of educational Urology podcasts today have been created post the outbreak of the COVID-10 outbreak, confirming our hypothesis.

Evidenced-based natural therapies and immune-enhancing strategies to control, prevent, and treat co-morbidities COVID-19 and cancer

The purpose of this research is to provide evidence-based natural therapies and foods that will enhance the immune system to fight the virus SARS CoV-2 and cancer. Minority populations that include Black African Americans and Hispanics are experiencing higher mortality rates due to both socioeconomic and lifestyle factors in the US and globally. Successful lessons learned from controlling previous 1918 pandemic flu will be discussed. Hypotheses: We hypothesize that targeting lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and hydrothermal therapy that enhance the immune system can effectively control and reduce the risk to COVID-19 disease and cancer simultaneously. The target cells for the SARS CoV-2 virus contain the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 receptors which serve as portals of entry. They are expressed throughout the body including the nose, lungs, heart, bladder, pancreas, kidneys and brain found on the epithelial and vascular tissue cells of these organs. Covid-19 affects multiple organs in the body and disrupts the innate immune system, especially the natural killer cells, monocytes, and neutrophils. Studies have shown that countries where BCG was used have less than 10% of COVID-19 cases and countries that do not use the BCG vaccine such as the US and Italy had high cases. It was also seen that people who had higher natural killer cell activity had 100% survival rates. Enhancing the innate immune system through natural therapies has shown to enhance immune cells to fight COVID-19 as well as cancer and destroy it. Methodology: Our research is exploratory and is based on recently published literature on COVID-19 diseases. The following databases were searched: CINAHL, Web of Science, PubMed, EBSCOHost, Google Scholar, Academic Search Complete, AccessMedicine, MedlinePlus, Nutrition Care Manuel, JSTOR and Publons. Results: During the Spanish flu pandemic death rates of those who received the best medical care was 6.7% compared with those who received hydrotherapy at 1.34%. Hydrotherapy will increase the body temperature and stimulate the activity of the immune cells, which can kill the viruses. Increasing the body temperature to 39.5 degrees centigrade was shown to kill the virus. Following the hot water bath with cold treatment was shown to be even more effective. Many foods have been found to enhance the immune system and to fight the flu virus. Foods such as blueberries, garlic, and probiotics were shown to improve natural killer activity. Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, and selenium play a role in immunity. Foods rich in antioxidants such as kale, blueberries, red bell peppers, and all citrus fruits also help enhance the immune system. During the 1918 flu pandemic that received hydrotherapy and other natural remedies, out of the 120 students and staff exposed, there were 90 patients, none very sick, and there were no deaths. Natural remedies used in the Spanish flu pandemic and should be instituted to help enhance immunity and lessen the deadly impact of COVID-19 cancer patients.

From H1N1 to SARS-CoV-2. From social science models to epidemiological practice

From April 2009 to January 2010 the world lived under the constant threat of a cataclysmic outbreak of infection caused by a new strain of the influenza type A virus, designated H1N1 2009. Similar, but much more devastating in its global consequences on public health and economy, was the outbreak of COVID-19, triggered by a new Coronavirus detected in China in December 2019. Back in the 17th century, the great strategist Carl von Clausewitz analyzed the tripartite nature of war, as comprising blind natural forces, chance and politics. In an analogous way, our strategy in the war against SARS-CoV-2 and its possible mutations can be depicted as tripartite: The pandemic, as a blind force of nature;chance/probability, in terms of its influence on health services and infrastructures, and on the possible genetic mutations of the virus;politics, as the necessity for decision-making regarding vaccination efficacy and safety. Proceeding to patient-centered provision of medical and preventive services, focused on conclusions derived from social sciences models, we could deploy an integrated strategy against COVID-19. This would combine preventive measures, diagnostic tests and vaccination with a flexible approach to the imposing and relaxing of lockdown, in pursuit of a fine balance between economic reactivation and the protection of public health.

Not the great equalizers: Covid-19, 1918-20 influenza, and the need for a paradigm shift in pandemic preparedness.

Despite common perceptions to the contrary, pandemic diseases do not affect populations indiscriminately. In this paper, we review literature produced by demographers, historians, epidemiologists, and other researchers on disparities during the 1918-20 influenza pandemic and the Covid-19 pandemic. Evidence from these studies demonstrates that lower socio-economic status and minority/stigmatized race or ethnicity are associated with higher morbidity and mortality. However, such research often lacks theoretical frameworks or appropriate data to explain the mechanisms underlying these disparities fully. We suggest using a framework that considers proximal and distal factors contributing to differential exposure, susceptibility, and consequences as one way to move this research forward. Further, current pandemic preparedness plans emphasize medically defined risk groups and epidemiological approaches. Therefore, we conclude by arguing in favour of a transdisciplinary paradigm that recognizes socially defined risk groups, includes input from the social sciences and humanities and other diverse perspectives, and contributes to the reduction of health disparities before a pandemic hits.

The 1918 Influenza Pandemic and Its Lessons for COVID-19

This article reviews the global health and economic consequences of the 1918 influenza pandemic, with a particular focus on topics that have seen a renewed interest because of COVID-19. We begin by providing an overview of key contextual and epidemiolog-ical details as well as the data that are available to researchers. We then examine the effects on mortality, fertility, and the economy in the short and medium run. The role of non-pharmaceutical interventions in shaping those outcomes is discussed through-out. We then examine longer-lasting health consequences and their impact on human capital accumulation and socioeconomic status. Throughout the paper we highlight important areas for future work.

Combating an invisible enemy: the American military response to global pandemics

The present moment is not the first time that America has found itself at war with a pathogen during a time of international conflict. Between crowded barracks at home and trenches abroad, wartime conditions helped enable the spread of influenza in the fall of 1918 during World War I such that an estimated 2040% of U.S. military members were infected. While the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is unparalleled for most of todays population, it is essential to not view it as unprecedented lest the lessons of past pandemics and their effect on the American military be forgotten. This article provides a historical perspective on the effect of the most notable antecedent pandemic, the Spanish Influenza epidemic, on American forces with the goal of understanding the interrelationship of global pandemics and the military, highlighting the unique challenges of the current pandemic, and examining how the American military has fought back against pandemics both at home and abroad, both 100 years ago and today.

Public Health in a Federation: Lessons from the Spanish Influenza in Australia.

Public health policy has been identified by scholars as a principal means by which the state has expanded its control over human populations. Yet, as the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, public health responses do not necessarily reinforce the authority and prestige of the state, even while governments employ strict measures such as lockdowns and border closures. This article examines arguments about the nation-making effects of public health measures through an examination of the Spanish influenza outbreak in the recently federated Australian nation during 1919. It examines the effort of the central government to co-ordinate quarantine and other public health measures in the face of serious tensions within the Australian federation. In doing so, the article suggests a need to think more subtly about the role of 'bio-political' events such as public health crises in consolidating state control and fostering exclusionary forms of nationalism. These lessons apply particularly to federal nation-states.

COVID-19 OUTBREAK: THE KURDISTAN REGION PERSPECTIVE

Covid-19 first appeared in Wuhan, China then spread across the globe including Kurdistan region, Iraq. Seven types of coronaviruses can infect human (SARS, MERS, 229E, OC43, NL63, HKU1 and most recent SARS-CoV-2), four of these (HKU1, OC43, NL63, 229E) cause mild infection in the upper respiratory, while SARS, MERS and SARS-CoV-2 are responsible for high mortality rate, particularly SARS-CoV-2 is highly pathogenic and has caused acute respiratory disease, which endangers human health and public safety. Compared with SARS and MERS, the Covid-19 mortality rate is low since the majority of the cases have recovered. Despite its low mortality, the COVID-19 death toll is high, because COVID—19 has caused pandemics and spread across the world, while SARS and MERS only caused endemics. So far large portions of the world population have been affected by the Covid-19, the disease led to an emergency of public health and concern of the international community, thus putting health institutions across the globe on alert. Since, the Spanish flu at the beginning of last century, the Covid-19 pandemic is only the second outbreak to extremely influence the world countries' health system, economy, and psychology of the world population, in this respect Kurdistan region of Iraq has not been an exception. This review study focuses on virology, pathogenesis, global and regional epidemiology, clinical presentations, diagnosis, treatment and control, and vaccinations concerning the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

Combating an invisible enemy: the American military response to global pandemics.

The present moment is not the first time that America has found itself at war with a pathogen during a time of international conflict. Between crowded barracks at home and trenches abroad, wartime conditions helped enable the spread of influenza in the fall of 1918 during World War I such that an estimated 20-40% of U.S. military members were infected. While the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is unparalleled for most of today's population, it is essential to not view it as unprecedented lest the lessons of past pandemics and their effect on the American military be forgotten. This article provides a historical perspective on the effect of the most notable antecedent pandemic, the Spanish Influenza epidemic, on American forces with the goal of understanding the interrelationship of global pandemics and the military, highlighting the unique challenges of the current pandemic, and examining how the American military has fought back against pandemics both at home and abroad, both 100 years ago and today.

May the analysis of 1918 influenza pandemic give hints to imagine the possible magnitude of Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19)?

BACKGROUND: In 1918 an unknown infectious agent spread around the world infecting over one-third of the general population and killing almost 50 million people. Many countries were at war, the First World War. Since Spain was a neutral country and Spanish press could report about the infection without censorship, this condition is commonly remembered as "Spanish influenza". This review examines several aspects during the 1918 influenza pandemic to bring out evidences which might be useful to imagine the possible magnitude of the present coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: In the first part of this review we will examine the origin of the SARS-Coronavirus-2 and 1918 Spanish Influenza Virus and the role played by host and environment in its diffusion. We will also include in our analysis an evaluation of different approaches utilized to restrain the spread of pandemic and to treat infected patients. In the second part, we will try to imagine the magnitude of the present COVID-19 pandemic and the possible measures able to restrain in the present environment its spread. RESULTS: Several factors characterize the outcome in a viral pandemic infection. They include the complete knowledge of the virus, the complete knowledge of the host and of the environment where the host lives and the pandemic develops. CONCLUSION: By comparing the situation seen in 1918 with the current one, we are now in a more favourable position. The experience of the past teaches us that their success is linked to a rapid, constant and lasting application. Then, rather than coercion, awareness of the need to observe such prevention measures works better.

Fatal Infectious Epidemics in Iran in the Last Two Centuries; What Lessons Can We Learn from Preceding Outbreaks? A Brief Historical Review.

In the past two centuries, several fatal infectious outbreaks have arisen in Iran. Presented here is a brief historical account of four fatal epidemics including cholera, plague, Spanish influenza of 1918 and smallpox between1796 and 1979. The lessons from these outbreaks could be helpful for better combatting other deadly epidemics including the present-day disastrous COVID-19 pandemic.