To understand the difference between the terms endemic, epidemic, and pandemic, one must first understand why these terms are used. These terms are commonly used in epidemiology to describe the current state of a disease within a population. Each one varies in the amount of a disease present within a certain population or community. Endemic levels of disease refer to the amount of disease that is normally present within a specific population. It is important to note that this endemic level does not mean that no disease is present, but rather represents the expected normal, or baseline, amount of people that will be afflicted by a disease. The term epidemic is used in reference to an increase in a disease within a population. This increase may be rapid, and represents a higher number of cases relative to what would typically be seen in that respective population. When an epidemic spreads, leading to an increased disease rate over a larger population or group of populations (like several countries), the term pandemic is used.
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