Schizophrenia Not Linked To 1957 Flu Pandemic

In 1957, a strain of Asian flu was discovered in the Middle East. Thanks to advances in scientific technology, the virus, referred to as H2N2, was quickly identified. Widespread outbreak was not expected and vaccines were offered in limited quantities. But cases of the flu began popping up in the United States over the summer. By the fall, school children had spread it to their classmates who then spread it to the rest of the family.

Throughout the world it was observed that many outbreaks seemed to follow a public gathering. People under the age of 65 had little to no immunity built up against the virus. Young children, young adults, pregnant women and the elderly were particularly susceptible. The virus ended up killing over 2 million people worldwide, including around 70,000 in the United States.

It is widely believed in the scientific community that schizophrenia is caused by a disruption during brain development. This disorder has been attributed to both genetic and environmental factors. People suffering from schizophrenia describe a myriad of issues and symptoms. Many people claim to hear voices in their head. Others believe that their thoughts are being broadcast throughout the world. Some think that people are planning to harm them. These thoughts make it difficult for many sufferers of schizophrenia to relate to other people and perform everyday tasks.

Drug treatment can yield excellent results amongst sufferers – many can lead normal lives – however, the side effects of many of these drugs can take additional tolls on the patient’s mental and physical health. A cure for this disorder is out of reach because the exact causes of it must still be found.

For decades, maternal influenza has been controversially attributed to increased schizophrenia rates. A 1988 Finnish study reported an increased risk of schizophrenia among people conceived and born during the 1957 influenza epidemic. Similar results were published in a 2007 study conducted in Denmark. Another 25 studies have been conducted, with approximately half replicating the results and the other half finding no correlation. Measles, rubella and polio, in addition to many other viral and bacterial illnesses, have also been attributed to increased schizophrenia rates.

A 2010 analysis of 11 international studies from Australia, Europe, Japan and the United States has found no sufficient evidence linking schizophrenia and the 1957 flu pandemic, as reported by the Schizophrenia Bulletin. Researchers compared the schizophrenia rates of people who were in the womb during the outbreak to those who were born just a few years before and a few years after the outbreak. Researchers divided the studies into two groups – those conducted in Australia, the United States or Europe were separated from those in Japan. The flu epidemic in Japan came in two waves while the other countries’ epidemics happened during only one.

Researchers also analyzed two studies that specifically targeted women who were pregnant during the epidemic, who also reported having had the flu at the time. In all cases no evidence supported an increased risk of schizophrenia in any trimester with the mother suffering from influenza.

The same researchers replicated the 1988 Finnish study and again found no increased risk of schizophrenia. They cited the statistical method used in that study as “inappropriate.”

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