What was the deadliest plague?

Are you one of those people who think they know everything about plagues because they read ‘The Decameron’ by Giovanni Boccaccio? Well, I hate to break it to you, but there is so much more that meets the eye. Throughout history, we have experienced several epidemics and pandemics that rocked our world. While World War II was pretty catastrophic, today’s focus will be on something that wiped out millions across continents: PLAGUES!

Plagues are not just regular infections; they’re a disease for all their own! For centuries, these diseases have caused extensive damage across different communities worldwide. Long story short – this article covers what was most probably the deadliest plague in history.

The Black Death

If anyone asks which plague wrecked humanity more than others did well – look no further than ‘The Black Death.’ This phenomenon took place between 1346-1353 CE and single-handedly wiped out an estimated 75-200 million people in Europe and Asia – yikes!

Symptoms of The Black Death

How did it spread? Pretty simple really… through fleas from infected rodents. Once an individual became infected with Yersinia Pestis (the bacteria responsible), symptoms would usually appear after two or three days making things worse before you realized any problem had occurred.

This virus gave rise to some of the following symptoms:

  • High fever
  • Chills
  • Muscular pain
  • Nausea
  • Shortness of breath.

Soon enough small lumps started popping up all over your body like wildfire appearing black within twenty-four hours subsequently leading to death in less than five days if left untreated.

How Did People Deal With It?

So how could anything kill this many people without being stopped right away? In truth terms when “invented” antibiotics were still hundreds of years away hence making illnesses such as The Black Death, Small Pox, and Tuberculosis (TB) near impossible to treat.

The question then remains how could individuals protect themselves from such deadly plagues?

Well back in the day when The Black Death threw people for a loop, authorities would place harsh quarantine laws on these victims making sure they were isolated away from uninfected folks. On top of that’s some strange stuff was made like creating noise hence someone can hear you coming- talk about batshit crazy! Others sort spiritual protection or had religious figures who prayed for them.

Was There Any Survival Chance?

Statistics indicate that one is more likely to die an excruciating death when infected with the plague than survive Nonetheless; several instances do stand firm where people survived this condition through chance or sheer luck.

Other Plagues Out Of Interest

Just so we’re clear, it wasn’t only Yersinia Pestis lurking around as the sole destroyer of humankind. Let us now take a look at other plagues (ahem, epidemic killers).

Antonine Plague

Regarded by historians as one of history’s deadliest pandemics commencing during 165 AD across Assyrian territories spreading across Rome killing over five million lives – wow!

How Did It Spread?

Major trade routes became badly hit resulting in losses due to immense numbers covered across different networks all linked with borders crossways small towns leading to outbreaks after previous ones settled…

Spanish Influenza

This notoriety caused his panic just after World War I lasting two years busting out between January 1918 – December 1920 infecting a third of humanity killing up to seventy-five million lives confining many inside their homes as well. Looks like COVID-19 got nothing our ancestors didn’t face ya know?

Symptoms:

If the name is anything to go by this influenza caused catastrophic damage on respiratory systems capable enough it resulted in writhing pain in the lungs causing respiratory failure or even fatality.

Asiatic Flu

Worst known pandemic to kill Americans nearly 70,000 in just one year which is a hell of a lot given that this outbreak lasted four years (1957-1961).

How Did It Spread?

Transmitted from bird to person – shocker! Just like The Black Death back then it was impossible for people to isolate themselves since chickens were prominent sources of protein worldwide.

Are you still with me? Let us forge on!

Conclusion

In conclusion, we cannot ignore the impact and severity of plagues throughout history. COVID 19(the Corona Virus) today may appear frightening but instead I challenge you folks to look at it as proof humanity has come a long way since colossal pandemics such as The Black Plague where medication and medicine were centuries away from becoming realized:

But think about it – when your town gets locked down due to ‘The Rona’ don’t forget their ancestors experienced periods decades-long or mortality higher than any number we’ll ever know.

I hope my article tickled some funny bones rekindling laughter during rather dark times especially given that ironically enough; epidemics plague our generation more frequently than ever before…

So take heed, life may be valuable and precious today though not forever take nothing for granted because trust me – if something else pops up onto humankind oh boy strap yourselves for an even wilder ride compared to what we currently face…

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