Straight out of a sci-fi thriller, we have lived through a COVID-state far longer than we all would have wanted. While the COVID-19 virus may not go away completely, the pandemic eventually became an endemic.
What’s the difference between epidemic, pandemic and endemic?
All three terms, epidemic, pandemic and endemic relate to the sudden spread of an infectious disease – it all depends on our immunity to the infection, the rate of spread, predictability to manage the disease, and how widespread the disease is geographically.
- Epidemic: A sudden increase in an infectious disease in a certain geographical area.
- Pandemic: An outbreak of disease across several countries or continents. (Essentially, an epidemic that’s spread further across the globe.)
- Endemic: A disease outbreak that is consistently present, but limited to within a certain area. (This is like the seasonal flu – there are cases all year round, but consistently a predictable surge during certain times of year.)
Next Steps & Resources:
- Make an appointment online with an infectious disease specialist near you, or call 800-822-8905.
- CDC - Introduction to Epidemiology
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