Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to epidemiology and infectious diseases.

Epidemiology

The study of factors and mechanisms involved in the spread of disease and health-related problems within populations.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disease during a specific time period within a population.

Prevalence

The total number of cases of a disease during a specific time period within a population, including both new and existing cases.

Mortality Rate

The number of deaths in a specified time period in relation to the total population.

Morbidity Rate

The number of individuals affected by a particular disease, often expressed in terms of incidence and prevalence.

Endemic Disease

An infectious disease that is consistently present in a specific geographic area or population.

Epidemic Disease

A sudden increase in the incidence of a disease within a population, becoming a public health problem.

Pandemic Disease

An epidemic that spreads worldwide, affecting a large number of people.

Sporadic Disease

A disease that occurs infrequently and unpredictably, having no significant threat to public health.

Common Source Outbreak

An epidemic that arises from a specific contaminated source.

Direct Contact Transmission

Transmission of disease through physical contact between an infected person and a susceptible person.

Vehicle Transmission

The transmission of infectious agents through contaminated inanimate objects, water, air, or food.

Vector Transmission

Transmission of disease by living organisms (vectors) that carry pathogens.

Basic Reproductive Number (R naught)

A metric used to predict how well an infectious disease will spread in a population.

Herd Immunity

Resistance to the spread of a contagious disease within a population, arising when a sufficiently high proportion of individuals are immune to the disease.

Isolation

The separation of infected individuals from the general population to prevent disease transmission.

Quarantine

The complete separation of infected or exposed individuals to prevent the spread of an infectious disease.

Nosocomial Infections

Infections acquired in hospitals or healthcare settings, now commonly referred to as healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).