Wartime metaphors during the H1N1 flu health crisis

Abstract

This article aims to illustrate how became a fundamental communicative resource for the mass media when reporting on the H1N1 virus during the swine flu health crisis. This analogy heightened public fear so much so that many individuals demanded that the government acquire certain drugs and vaccines to protect themselves from the virus. This research is based on the information which appeared in three national dailies –El País, El Mundo and ABC– over a six-month period, as well as academic publications, documents and articles available in the media and Internet.