Overview
This lecture explains four key terms to describe patterns in the occurrence of diseases: sporadic, endemic, epidemic, and pandemic.
Sporadic Diseases
- Sporadic diseases occur occasionally and irregularly, without a specific geographic pattern.
- Examples include tetanus, rabies, and plague, which appear in small numbers and in random locations.
Endemic Diseases
- Endemic diseases are constantly present within a specific population or region.
- Examples include malaria and HIV infection in certain regions such as sub-Saharan Africa.
Epidemic Diseases
- Epidemic diseases show a sudden and significant increase in cases in a particular area over a short period.
- Epidemics can occur in small or large areas, such as a town or an entire country.
- Flu season outbreaks are a common example of epidemics.
Pandemic Diseases
- Pandemic diseases are epidemics that spread across multiple countries or worldwide.
- The 1918 flu pandemic is a classic example, killing millions globally within a short time frame.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Sporadic Disease — A disease that appears occasionally and irregularly with no geographic pattern.
- Endemic Disease — A disease consistently present in a population or region.
- Epidemic Disease — A disease characterized by a sudden increase in cases within a specific area.
- Pandemic Disease — A worldwide epidemic affecting a large proportion of the global population.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review definitions and examples of each disease occurrence term.
- Be prepared to identify or give examples of each term for future assessments.