From the spring of 1918 to the early months of 1919, the Spanish flu pandemic ravaged the world, killing an estimated 50 million to 100 million people. It came in three waves, with the last wave being the most deadly.
This flu was unusual in that it was both extremely deadly and seemed to target the young and healthy, being particularly deadly to 20 to 35-year-olds. By the time the flu had run its course, it had killed upwards of five percent of the world’s population.
Included below is a fantastic collection of pictures from the deadly 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, including tent hospitals, people wearing preventative masks, a sick child, no spitting signs, and much more.01of 23
A Nurse Wearing a Mask While Filling a Pitcher From a Fire Hydrant
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Nurse wearing a mask as protection against influenza. (September 13, 1918). Underwood Archives / Getty Images
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Medical Personnel Giving Treatment to an Influenza Patient
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Masked medical personnel giving treatment to an influenza patient. U.S. Naval Hospital, New Orleans, Louisiana. (Circa autumn 1918). Picture courtesy U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.
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A Letter Carrier Wearing a Mask for Protection
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Letter carrier in New York wearing a mask for protection against influenza. New York City. (October 16, 1918).Picture courtesy National Archives at College Park, MD.
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A Sign Warning Theater Goers Not to Enter if They Have a Cold
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic “Influenza frequently complicated with pneumonia is prevalent at this time throughout America. This theatre is cooperating with the Department of Health. You must do the same. If you have a cold and are coughing and sneezing do not enter this theatre.”.Picture courtesy of the History of Medicine (NLM).
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A Doctor Spraying the Throat of His Patient in an Attempt to Prevent Influenza
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Preventive treatment against influenza, spraying throat. A.R.C. (American Red Cross). Love Field, Texas. (November 6, 1918). Picture courtesy of the National Museum of Health and Medicine.
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Boxing Match on a Ship With Spectators Wearing Masks
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Boxing match on the U.S.S. Siboney’s forecastle, while she was at sea in the Atlantic Ocean, transporting troops to or from France in 1918-1919. Spectators are wearing masks as a precaution against the spread of influenza. Picture courtesy the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.
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Rows of Beds Separated by Sneeze Screens in a Hospital
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Naval Training Station, San Francisco, California. Scene in “D” Ward of the Station Hospital, showing sneeze screens erected around beds.Picture courtesy the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.
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A Typist Wearing a Mask
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Typist wearing mask, New York City. (October 16, 1918). PhotoQuest / Getty Images
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A Crowded Barracks With Beds Seaparated by Sneeze Screens
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Naval Training Station, San Francisco, California. Crowded sleeping area extemporized on the Drill Hall floor of the Main Barracks, with sneeze screens erected as a precaution against the spread of influenza. Picture courtesy of the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.
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A Sign Warning People Not to Spit on the Floor
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Naval Training Station, San Francisco, California. “Do Not Spit On The Floor, To Do So May Spread Disease” sign on the balcony edge of the Drill Hall floor of the Main Barracks, which is in use as an extemporized sleeping area. Picture courtesy of the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.
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A Child Sick With the Spanish Flu
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Public Health: A child with influenza, her mother, and a visiting nurse from a local Child Welfare Association. Picture courtesy of the History of Medicine (NLM).
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Sign Stating Number of Cases and Deaths at the Naval Aircraft Factory
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Mounted on a wood storage crib at the Naval Aircraft Factory, Philadelphia. As the sign indicates, the Spanish Influenza was then extremely active in Philadelphia. Note the sign’s emphasis on the epidemic’s damage to the war effort. (October 19, 1918). Picture courtesy of the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.
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Policemen in Seattle Wearing Masks
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Policemen in Seattle wearing masks made by the Red Cross, during the influenza epidemic. (December 1918.). Picture courtesy of the National Archives at College Park, MD.
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A Street Car Conductor Not Allowing Passengers Aboard Without a Mask
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Street car conductor in Seattle not allowing passengers aboard without a mask. (1918). Picture courtesy of the National Archives at College Park, MD.
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The Interior of an Influenza Ward at a U.S. Army Field Hospital
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic U.S. Army Field Hospital No. 127, Rengsdorf, Germany Interior view – Influenza Ward. Picture courtesy of the History of Medicine (NLM).
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A Sign That States: Careless Spitting, Coughing, Sneezing Spreads Influenza
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic A sign that states: Prevent Disease, Careless Spitting, Coughing, Sneezing Spread Influenza and Tuberculosis. Picture courtesy of the History of Medicine (NLM).
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A U.S. Army Tent Hospital for Influenza Patients
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic U.S. Army Base Hospital, Camp Beauregard, Louisiana. Tents for influenza patients.Hulton Archive / Getty Images
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An Influenza Ward at a U.S. Army Camp Hospital
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic U. S. Army Camp Hospital No. 45, Aix-les-Bains, France. Influenza ward No. 1.Picture courtesy of the History of Medicine (NLM).
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Army Hospital Patients Wearing Masks at a Moving Picture Show
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic U. S. Army Hospital Number 30, Royat, France. Patients at moving picture show wearing masks because of an influenza epidemic. Picture courtesy of the History of Medicine (NLM).
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Patients in Bed in an Army Field Hospital’s Influenza Ward
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic U.S. Army Field Hospital No. 29, Hollerich, Luxembourg. Interior view – Influenza ward. Picture courtesy of the History of Medicine (NLM).
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Naked Man Getting Inoculated Against the Spanish Flu
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Embarkation Camp, Genicart, France. Flu and pneumonia inoculation being administered. Picture courtesy of the National Museum of Health and Medicine.
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Liberty Loan Parade at Philadelphia
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Liberty Loan Parade at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This parade, with its associated dense gatherings of people, contributed significantly to the massive outbreak of influenza which struck Philadelphia a few days later. (September 28, 1918). Picture courtesy the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.
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A Cartoon That Shows a Mask as a Countermeasure
During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic Cartoon by E. Verdier, published as cover art for the “Ukmyh Kipzy Puern,” the magazine of the U.S Naval Cable Censor Office. The cartoon, and the face mask drawn in upper right, may reflect countermeasures against the 1918-19 influenza epidemic. Picture courtesy the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.