<P> The 1918 flu pandemic ( January 1918 -- December 1920 ) was an unusually deadly influenza pandemic , the first of the two pandemics involving H1N1 influenza virus . It infected 500 million people around the world , including remote Pacific islands and the Arctic , and resulted in the deaths of 50 to 100 million ( three to five percent of the world 's population ) , making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in human history . Disease had already greatly limited life expectancy in the early 20th century . A considerable spike occurred at the time of the pandemic , specifically the year 1918 . Life expectancy in the United States alone dropped by about 12 years . </P>
<P> The 1918 flu pandemic ( January 1918 -- December 1920 ) was an unusually deadly influenza pandemic , the first of the two pandemics involving H1N1 influenza virus . It infected 500 million people around the world , including remote Pacific islands and the Arctic , and resulted in the deaths of 50 to 100 million ( three to five percent of the world 's population ) , making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in human history . Disease had already greatly limited life expectancy in the early 20th century . A considerable spike occurred at the time of the pandemic , specifically the year 1918 . Life expectancy in the United States alone dropped by about 12 years . </P>
how many people did the spanish flu kill
how many people did the spanish flu kill
50 to 100 million
50 to 100 million