MEDICAL DICTIONARY
Endemic: Present in a community at all times but in relatively low frequency. Something that is endemic is typically restricted or peculiar to a locality or region.
For example, malaria is endemic in some areas of Africa. And traffic in illicit drugs is endemic in some neighborhoods.
By contrast, there are the related terms "epidemic" and "pandemic": - An epidemic is a sudden severe outbreak within a region or a group, as with AIDS in Africa or AIDS in intravenous drug users.
- A pandemic occurs when an epidemic becomes very widespread and affects a whole region, a continent, or the entire world.
The word "endemic" comes from the Greek "en-", "in" + "demos", "people or population" = "endemos" = "in the population." An endemic is in the people.
By contrast, "epi-" means "upon." An epidemic is visited upon the people. And "pan-" means "all." A pandemic affects all the people.
|
DISCLAIMER:
Information on this site is provided for informational
purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice
provided by your own physician or other medical professional.
You should not use the information contained herein
for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease,
or prescribing any medication. You should read carefully
all product packaging. Not all Canadian drugs, Canada
prescription and Canadian prescription medicine is available
at discount Canadian on line pharmacies. If you have
or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly
contact your health care provider. Information and statements
regarding diet supplements have not been evaluated by
Health Canada and are not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease. All trade and service
marks mentioned on this site are recognized as belonging
to their respective owners.
|
|
|
|
