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[[image:1-influenza-virus.jpg width="114" height="111"]]Epidemics and Pandemics by Celeste Junior High School 7th Grade of 2010-2011
Influenza Virus Image Source Page: @http://www.drugdevelopment-technology.com/projects/t705/t7051.html

Epidemics
Epidemic: a rapid spread or increase in the occurrence of something; a widespread occurrence of a disease. (noun)

An epidemic, at its core, is when any disease initially found not a large threat, substantially exceeds that which is expected of it. Some epidemics include AIDS, tuberculosis, or the Spanish Flu, that in 1918 killed between 50 and 100 million people worldwide. Over 3% of the world’s population was killed in this massive epidemic and over 28% infected. Smallpox is another. It targets small blood vessels in the skin, mouth, and throat, and later leads to scarring, skin deformities, and eventual blindness. These are a few of the epidemics that have occurred over the ages, and some of them multiple times. They are truly a force to be reckoned with and have brought some of the greatest civilizations down to pieces. Still today, scientists of all kinds struggle to find remedies for everything from the common cold, to cervical cancer.

Pandemics
Pandemics are very similar to epidemics in a sense that they, too, are ailments that go above and beyond the expectations of its past. The difference, however, is that, while an epidemic can be found in any “infectious” object (whether it be an idea or a trend), pandemics are strictly viral. For example, when you a new political party or expensive brand of clothing emerges, it is an epidemic. Whereas, when a strange, unknown disease takes its course, it could be considered as either. Another common distinction between them, is that pandemics are almost exclusively world-wide. When somebody brings up a conversation about pandemics as opposed to epidemics, you know it’s no small matter. Cholera, for instance, has appeared at many various points in history, though not all of them could be considered so great as a pandemic. The main concern for it now is in Haiti - that would be considered an epidemic because it is somewhat contained. The Russian outbreak in 1847 killed more than 1 million people. Yeah, it’s a pandemic.

Over the years, pandemics and epidemics have continued to test the skills and knowledge of doctors and patients alike. The very thing that sets humanity apart from all that, is the ability to adapt to, and overcome the obstacles that it will face. We are not prepared with the ability to overcome new challenges we will face, all the same, we are prepared with will.

Written by: Gary Casey

Sources: "WHO | Pandemic Preparedness." Web. 25 Apr. 2011. http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/pandemic/en/. Ryan KJ, Ray CG (editors) (2004). //Sherris Medical Microbiology// (4th ed.). McGraw Hill. pp. 525–8. Patterson, KD; Pyle GF (Spring 1991). "The geography and mortality of the 1918 influenza pandemic". //Bull Hist Med.// Geoffrey A. Hosking (2001). " Russia and the Russians: a History ". Harvard University Press. p.9. Image Source Page: @http://www.stephanherr.com/logos/image23.htm