Much like the H1N1 virus of today, The Spanish Influenza infected, and killed significantly more healthy adults than a regular influenza outbreak would.

As a matter of fact, many believe that H1N1 is the same flu strand as The Spanish Flu, and this has grown some concern of whether or not today’s flu could break out like before (Baltimore Sun). However, back then public sanitation was almost non-existent, and medicine was primitive. Everyone had their own idea for a cure, many considered fresh air to be a sufficient cure, or even rye whiskey. The leaders of Baltimore hesitated to shut down public events after the flu was considered an epidemic, and it cost lives (Baltimore Sun; Center for Medicare & Medicade Services). Also the streets of Baltimore where crowded, many people lived in close quarters, and there were numerous military camps, filled with infected troops from the war, surrounding Baltimore this also helped the disease spread.