In the world, we are faced with a lot of infectious diseases that can be fatal if not treated properly. The worst disease is the plague that plagues the entire world for decades and can even wipe out entire cities. Another disease that is a major threat to human survival is the pandemic.
Although both these diseases are very dangerous, they are not similar in terms of their causes and effects. A plague is caused by bacteria while pandemics are caused by viruses. For instance, the plague is caused by bacteria known as Yersinia pestis while the pandemic is caused by the virus known as H1N1.
However, the characteristics of both these diseases are very similar. For example, both of them can be fatal if not treated properly. The symptoms of both these diseases are also similar such as fever, chills, headache and fatigue. As a result of all these symptoms, people may get infected with either one of these two diseases.
Summary Table
| Epidemic | Pandemic |
| Is widespread outbreak of disease in many individuals | Is a worldwide outbreak of disease |
| Is a contagious disease that spreads very quickly over a large geographical area | Is an infectious disease that spreads quickly throughout the world |
| Are spread from person-to-person, and the organisms responsible for the outbreak are not well understood | Are contagious diseases that can last for multiple years |
Definitions:
In this article, we will discuss differences between Epidemic and Pandemic. We will also compare the symptoms of both diseases in order to determine which one is more dangerous and which one is less dangerous.
What is an Epidemic?
The term “epidemic” refers to a widespread outbreak of disease. Epidemics are usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. In the United States, only one type of epidemic is commonly recognized: Influenza (influenza).
When an epidemic occurs, it is referred to as an “outbreak”. An outbreak of any disease may be characterized as an “epidemic,” but it is usually limited to a single area and does not necessarily involve large numbers of people.
What is a Pandemic?
A pandemic is an outbreak of a disease that occurs worldwide. Pandemics are typically caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. A pandemic may impact the entire planet (pandemic) or specific geographic regions (pathogenic), but it is not limited to these areas. The word “pandemic” has been used over the past century to describe outbreaks of such diseases as Spanish flu and AIDS.
Pandemics occur when the organisms responsible for the outbreak have the ability to spread easily from person to person, and the organisms are not yet well understood. However, the organisms are known to be transmissible from person to person (for example, influenza is transmitted through coughing or sneezing of infected people). A pandemic has the potential for causing widespread illness and death.
The term “epidemic” is often used interchangeably with the word “pandemic.” Although they are related, they are not the same. Pandemics are global in nature and usually spread rapidly. Epidemic outbreaks may then continue to spread in a localized area until they run their course.
How are they similar?
Both epidemics and pandemics are contagious. Because of this, any person or animal who is exposed to the disease may become ill. If a person is infected with an epidemic disease, he or she will be contagious for a certain period of time. The length of time that the person will be contagious depends on the type and severity of the disease.
Epidemics and pandemics are both contagious, yet they are different in several ways. Epidemic diseases spread slowly throughout the population until the organism responsible for the outbreak is no longer active. Pandemics spread quickly throughout the world and can last for more than one year. Epidemics often occur in specific geographic areas, while pandemics may affect many, if not all, geographic areas.
Also, an epidemic or pandemic is a disease that can spread quickly. They are both contagious and have the potential to affect large numbers of people.
How are they different?
Epidemic and pandemic infections are caused by different types of organisms. The organisms that cause epidemic diseases are generally spread from person-to-person, while those that cause pandemics are usually spread by animals such as rats, monkeys, or fleas. In addition, most epidemics run their course over a short period of time, while pandemics can last for a year or more.
Epidemics are caused by organisms that can be spread from person-to-person. Pandemics are caused by organisms that can be spread from animals. Epidemic diseases mainly occur in one geographic area, while pandemics affect the entire world.
Epidemics are caused by different types of organisms. Pandemics are caused by different types of organisms. Epidemics primarily occur in one geographic area, while pandemics affect the entire world.
How do you know if it is an epidemic or a pandemic?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has two measures to determine whether an infectious disease is an epidemic or pandemic: the number of cases reported at any given time in a geographic area (epidemic threshold) and the number of cases reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) over a certain period of time during a pandemic (pandemic threshold).
The CDC monitors data on both WHO and U.S. cases of an infectious disease, such as influenza or SARS, to determine whether there is an epidemic. If the CDC determines that there are enough cases to meet the U.S. epidemic threshold, then it will notify health officials in states and local jurisdictions that have reported cases of the disease to determine whether there are sufficient numbers of cases to warrant concern.
