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.

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