Both epidemics and pandemics affect a large number of people. Epidemic and pandemic diseases are transmitted through direct contact or through media like air, water and food. If a disease is contagious and if the appropriate measures are not taken, the disease spreads, taking the form of an epidemic. It can further transform into a pandemic, in case it afflicts an even larger population. Epidemic and pandemic diseases range from minor ones like cold and flu to major and severe ones like malaria, influenza, cholera, measles, yellow fever, etc. In fact, a disease that can spread through air, food, water, contact or the vector causing it, can become an epidemic or pandemic disease in case it spreads uncontrollably. Here is a comparative study of epidemics and pandemics and an analysis of the differences between the two.
Epidemic
Various reasons can lead to the spread of epidemic diseases among people. Let's take a look at some of them. People with a weak immune system are more prone to be afflicted by epidemic diseases.Those suffering from malnutrition are susceptible to these diseases. Also, cancer and AIDS patients have higher chances of becoming victims of epidemic diseases. Another reason for the spread of epidemic diseases is that the causative agents (pathogens) become resistant to the drug or vaccine against the disease.
Pandemic
Pandemic is fairly similar to an epidemic. The only difference is that a pandemic is known to affect more number of people than an epidemic. If the preventive programs designed to curb the spread of an epidemic are not implemented as designed, it spreads further, taking the form of a pandemic. If whether conditions become conducive to the spread of the disease causing agents, a pandemic occurs. The other reasons for the spread of pandemics are same as those for epidemic diseases.
Now, let us take a look at the differences between epidemic and pandemic.
Difference between Epidemic and Pandemic
What is an Epidemic?
The term epidemic is derived from two Greek words, "epi" which means upon and "demos" meaning people. An epidemic is known to occur when an alarmingly large population gets afflicted by a disease. Epidemics are generally limited to a small area like, a city or town. Since epidemics affect less number of people, it is relatively easier to control the spread of epidemic diseases. Epidemic diseases have resulted in thousands of deaths in the past. Let's look at some of them.
Epidemics in the Past
Plague which is also referred to as black death is an epidemic disease which spreads through fleas present on rats' bodies. This epidemic disease had hit Europe in 1350, affecting a large number of people residing in different cities across the region. Cholera is another life-threatening epidemic disease. This disease is caused due to infestation of comma shaped bacteria known as Vibrio Cholerae. In 1947, this disease claimed lives of 30,000 Egyptians. This disease also affected people in different countries like the United States, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The most recent epidemic which is still in the news due to its surprisingly speedy spread is swine flu!
So, an epidemic is basically the outbreak of an infectious disease which affects many people at the same time. Now, let's look at what a pandemic is and see some examples of pandemics in history.
What is a Pandemic?
The term pandemic is also derived from two Greek words pan and demos., where "pan" means all and "demos" means people. An epidemic that spreads across a very large area and affects a huge number of people is termed as a pandemic. Controlling the spread of pandemics is really difficult as it spreads like wildfire affecting, at times claiming lives of thousands across the globe. Let's see a few pandemic examples which had affected our forefathers in past.
Pandemics in the Past
Smallpox was one deadly pandemic disease which had affected many people in the 18th century. Almost 60 million Europeans lost their lives in this pandemic. Spanish flu which occurred in the year 1918 had killed more than 50 million people worldwide and half a million in the United States. Malaria is a disease caused by female anopheles mosquitoes Pregnant women and children below the age of 5 are more prone to this disease. It had once claimed 2 million lives worldwide.
So, a pandemic is basically an epidemic that is geographically widespread, occurring throughout a region or even throughout the world. After knowing how deadly these epidemics and pandemics can become, you must have realized how important it is to take the precautionary measures to curb their spread. Thanks to modern research, we have vaccination against many of the epidemic and pandemic diseases. Quarantining the patients is another effective measure in controlling the spread of epidemic diseases, wherein, the infected person is isolated from others so that they are not effected by that disease. Apart from adopting these preventive measures, maintaining personal hygiene is also a must.
I hope this article on epidemic vs pandemic has helped you get a better understanding of the two ideas. And now, you will easily be able to differentiate between the two. Remember to use this knowledge of epidemic and pandemic diseases in taking the required measures to curb their spread. Stay fit, stay healthy.
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