Not all infectious disease terms are created equal, though they’re often mistakenly used interchangeably.
Pandemic, epidemic and endemic usually get mixed up even by medical experts as the definition of each term is fluid and changes as a disease becomes more or less prevalent over time, according to Intermountain Healthcare.
Photo via BBC
Epidemic: A disease that affects a large number of people within a community, population or region.
Pandemic: An epidemic that’s spread over multiple countries or continents
Endemic: Something that belongs to a particular people or country
Meanwhile, an outbreak is a greater-than-anticipated increase in the number of endemic cases. It can also be a single case in a new area. If it's not quickly controlled, an outbreak can become an epidemic.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines pandemics, epidemics and endemics based on a disease’s rate of spread, thus, the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic isn’t the severity of the disease but the degree to which it has spread.
However, a common attribute of epidemic and pandemics is that we need to take preventative care from the infection, so remember to:
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Wash your hands often with soap and water
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Don’t touch your mouth or nose without sanitizing or washing your hands
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When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue
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Avoid crowded places or stay home if you can
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Disinfect household surfaces regularly
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Practice social distancing when you are in public
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Wear properly fitted face masks when you are outside
Stay safe!
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
