Pandemic Diseases from Influenza to HIV

We hear so much about infectious diseases in the media these days, swine flu, influenza, HIV/AIDS. It seems to be everywhere. But there does seem to be some confusion between what is known as an epidemic and a pandemic. The purpose of this article is to explain the difference with examples of both.

When an infectious disease spreads rapidly throughout many people, this is known as an epidemic. But when that epidemic becomes global or involving many countries, you have a pandemic. An epidemic is when there are more cases of a disease than expected or that is normal. A pandemic is a worldwide epidemic of a disease.

Worldwide is not enough to define Pandemic

However a disease is not a pandemic just because it is worldwide or even kills many people. It is only pandemic if it is infectious. An example to make this clear is cancer. Cancer is to blame for the deaths of epic proportions, it is definitely worldwide, but it is neither infectious nor contagious, therefore it is not a pandemic.

Influenza pandemics since very early times

Influenza is a pandemic that has occurred throughout history. In 1918 40 - 50 million people were killed by the Spanish Influenza. In 1957 there was the Asian Flu that killed two million people. And again in 1968 we had the Hong Kong influenza that killed a million people.

An influenza pandemic occurs when a new strain of flu begins to infect people and they have no immunity to it. The virus spreads rapidly and easily and begins to cause serious illness throughout the world.

The most recent influenza pandemic of course is the Swine Flu or H1N1 virus. The epidemic breakout of this influenza in 2009 was declared a pandemic on June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization increased the pandemic alert level to six, it's highest level and the first time it had been raised that high since 1968. At that time there were 30,000 confirmed cases worldwide. An interesting side note was that the WHO was criticized by the media saying that the World Health Organization was hyping up the dangers and providing "fear and confusion" rather than "immediate information" about the pandemic. Some have even charged that it was a ploy or hoax by the FDA and drug companies.

Modern Day Pandemic - HIV / AIDS

Of course one of the most well known pandemics is AIDS. This Pandemic started in Africa and spread to Haiti then to the United States and then much of the rest of the world beginning around 1969. HIV/AIDS has infection rates as high as 25% in southern and eastern Africa. Actually worse among pregnant women in South Africa in 2006 reaching 29.1%. Although education and the practice of safe sex and teaching about body fluids precautions seemed to be slowing down the infection rates but they are on the rise again in Asia and the Americas. Some very terrifying predictions are being made by the U.N. Population researchers. By the year 2025 AIDS could kill 31 million in India and 18 million in china, but even more horrifying is that in Africa the number may well reach 90-100 million people.

High Death Tolls From Famous Pandemics of History

There are actually many Pandemics throughout history. A few of the more famous ones will be mentioned here.

The Plague of Athens in 430 BC. This was Typhoid fever (caused by Salmonella bacteria) which killed 25% of the Athenian troops and 25% of the population over four years. Interesting note: The exact cause of the plague is unknown but in 2006, researchers of the University of Athens analyzed teeth coming from the mass grave underneath the city of Athens and confirmed the presence of the bacteria responsible for typhoid.

The Plague of Justinian. (541-570 ). This was the first known outbreak of the bubonic plague, starting in Egypt and reaching to Constantinople. It was responsible for the deaths of 10,000 a day and 40% of the cities population. A frightening statistic, the bubonic plague eliminated 25-50% of the human population that it struck throughout the world. And it killed 50% of Europe's population between 550-700.

And then in the 1300s was the Black Death. (thought to be a return of the Bubonic plague) The Black Death was responsible for 75 million deaths.

Lifestyle and Cleanliness Affect the Outcome of Pandemic Disease

The virility of these unchecked pandemics is frightening and gives us pause. But the reality is that the deaths caused in early times by infectious diseases are no different than today. Pandemics continue right now in modern times and we seem no better prepared to stop them. Lifestyle and cleanliness play a key role in protecting yourself from these deadly diseases.

Sources:

WebMD
Epidemic

Influenza Pandemic

Pandemic

Typhoid Fever

Bubonic Plague

Black Death