We are all scared of falling sick or having a disease. It is a state of our body where we are not considered ‘healthy’ anymore and depend on recovery treatment. Instead of fretting about what can happen to us, it is crucial to acknowledge what leads to an unhealthy situation. Here, we will discuss what epidemic disease is to make you aware of the possibilities of diseases.
A disease not only affects you physically but takes a mental toll on us. Still, when one person suffers, people can give all the efforts on that individual to make them feel better. This is when one family member suffers, and the other family members or friends assist them in recovering.
Now, what happens when a lot of people start suffering from the same disease? Too much attention has to be given to a lot of people. The hospitals get crowded, and getting a hold of a doctor to come to your place becomes difficult.
Many times in history, we have found the spread of deadly diseases over a large population. Some have confined to a specific geographical location, while others have traveled worldwide. Conditions like these ravage large areas spreading not only its symptoms but also hopelessness. As the world suffering from a pandemic, we can understand how deadly these diseases can be.
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What is an epidemic disease?
Unlike pandemic, epidemic disease is a kind of disease that rapidly spreads over a specific area within a short period. In an epidemic, you would find millions of people getting infected within a few days. Most epidemic diseases that occurred in the world are death counts and have left many more people scared for life. It is a position no one wants to be in, but most of the time, we have no control over it. What we can do in such a situation is to listen to health experts and take precautionary steps.
One thing that has to be mentioned is that though you associate an epidemic disease with being an infectious one, it is always not the case. Any condition that occurs in a region in an unprecedented number, then it is termed as an epidemic disease, just like obesity is an epidemic disease in certain parts of the world. Smoking or even traffic accidents can also be referred to as an epidemic. The word disease refers to an anomaly in the normal conditions where people do not suffer from tragedies.
What can lead to such diseases?
Many things can lead to epidemic disease in an area. We can very well understand this by the large number of possibilities that can be classified as such an epidemic disease.
- A sudden change in the ecology of the area in which the disease is offering can be the cause. Suddenly if there is a stress on the vector species, then these problems can occur.
- If there is a host that introduces r change in the genetic composition of the pathogen or pathogen in the area, an epidemic can be caused.
- Infected food, contaminated water, increase in insects (like mosquitoes) are disease-carrying vectors
- Change in seasons can also be a cause, just like measles or whooping cough. The common cold has the potential to be an epidemic during the winter seasons, especially.
- An outbreak can also be the result of chemical spillage or radiation poisoning. The Bhopal gas tragedy of India and the Minamata disease resulted from Mercury exposure are disasters of epidemics.
- Natural disasters can also be the reason for epidemics like floods, earthquakes, droughts, etc.
Sometimes the disease affects a lot of people. Such cases are considered to be an epidemic in nature. Thus, we can see that several things can cause an epidemic disease. This is why the precautionary steps and the transmission process is also equally varied.
How does the disease transmit from one person to another?
Some of the ways diseases can transmit are:
Transmission by air
These happen due to the transfer of the infection bite the dust in the air or droplets. These are microscopic particles, so you would not be able to see them, and we can see how deadly it can be by witnessing the novel coronavirus.
Transmission caused by an insect
The insect can either carry the toxic substance on its body or transfer it from one organism to another. It can also move it inside its body as a host and bite the patient to transfer it.
Transmission by contact
Any kind of touches like a handshake or a bit can cause this kind of an epidemic.
Tips to stay safe during an epidemic disease spread
Whether it is the novel coronavirus or Ebola, any virus can cause panic among people. When any area suffers from an epidemic, the typical reaction is to be worried and paranoid.
We understand that you would go through a lot of mental distress. However, in such a situation, you must keep calm and take proper steps to keep yourself and the people around you safe.
We understand in some cases like a nuclear disaster or a natural disaster, you cannot do much, but the spread of diseases like COVID-19 can be prevented by maintaining distance and washing hands.
Below are some things you can do to keep the nasty viruses and bacteria spreading germs away. Of course, sometimes, situations are much beyond our help. However, we can still take specific steps to combat the problem and seek medical practitioners to mitigate the situation.
Washing of hands
Even if there is not a single chance of an epidemic disease, washing your hands is something we learn from a very young age to keep good health. It is a very healthy habit taught in children. Somehow as adults, we tend to forget this advice and ignore it.
Washing hands seem like an effortless task, but it is something that many people do not do properly. Get ready to hum your favorite song while washing your hands for 20 seconds to keep the germs away.
Yes, it is precisely that simple. Keep your hands clean and use any soap that you want. You do not even have to purchase costly specialized antibacterial soaps. Just over the counter, affordable soaps will work. Preferably use as a hand wash, so you don’t contaminate the soap bar as well.
When washing your hand, be sure that you are scrubbing the dirt off your nails and between your fingers. We understand that it is not always possible to get access to clean water and soap to wash your hands properly. In such a case, you should clean your hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer. The alcohol percentage should be preferably more than 70%. This will ensure that your hands are clean, and you will not infect yourself or others further.
Do not touch your face and mouth
If you find yourself in an epidemic caused by a virus or bacteria, it is better that you do not touch your mouth and face. Even if it is hot weather, try to use a handkerchief. The moment you touch your face, you interact with the virus, and it can enter your bloodstream and lungs through mouth and nose.
This is why when you go outside in such a situation, it is better that you come home and sanitize every article of clothing on your body and go to the washroom to take a proper bath. We should stay indoors as much as possible and prevent a virus from spreading further. Just make sure you clean yourself thoroughly when you enter your house to step out for work.
Sanitize all surfaces
After 2020, no one can call anyone a hypochondriac if they are fussy about hygiene. Just get ready to disinfect every surface of your house. You should do this even if there is not an epidemic. This way, you can keep all nasty germs away and keep yourself safe. Moreover, this is important if you have children in the house. It is not always possible to monitor the actions of children, especially if they are small.
If you keep indoors sanitized, you can at least be sure that they are not touching virus-laden articles that can put them in immediate danger.
Do not consume food touched by a sick family or friend
When you close to someone, you tend to share food or drink with them even if they are sick. Even in normal conditions, this is wrong as you can fall ill as well. This is especially problematic to do during an epidemic. We are in no way asking you to ostracise the person.
Please do take care of them as they need the help now more than ever. Give them separate utensils and water bottles. Disinfect the office objects not to infect anyone around. Ask the doctors what steps you can take but do not under no circumstances, consume food or water with them from the same utensil.
The same goes for sharing cigarettes with friends. If you have a smoking habit and do it with friends around, you need to stop during an epidemic disease. Be mindful and take extra precautions every step to keep yourself and the community safe. Also, do not share towels, soap bars, and other articles of personal use.
Do not touch others or let others do the same
We, people, are social animals, and we do need the human touch. We all crave physical intimacy. It doesn’t have to be sexual always. When we see a close friend, we tend to hug them or shake their hands. During an epidemic disease, all these introductions must be restricted.
Do not touch, kiss, or hug others. You cannot even do a formal handshake also if you both sanitize your hands. It is better to be safe than sorry, and that is why these steps should be followed.
Wear protective gear
If the health workers are asking you to bad a mask or gloves, you should do it. Whatever the experts are telling, the guidelines should be followed correctly. Without listening to the experts, we cannot eradicate the disease, and we will continue to infect each other.
Final thoughts
As you can see, many causes can lead to an epidemic disease. With each new condition come its unique symptoms. Still, if we try to be proactive about it, we can lead a healthy life. We still have to consider that being active and paranoid are two separate things.
In an epidemic situation, we are forced to go through a lot of trouble and stressful times. Still, we need to remain calm and handle the situation appropriately.
It is up to the community to abide by the health workers and the law. Strict guidelines have to be followed, and the government has come up with proper schemes to help communities that suffer from losses due to such situations. We have to keep in mind that it is not just the disease that makes people suffer but also the economic losses incurred during such periods.
When any area suffers from a disease, people tend to avoid it, which means local businesses suffer. This is why we need compassion, help, and understanding individuals during such situations to come to the community’s aid. As the whole world is suffering from a pandemic, we need tests, and it is now our time to show how well we can work as a global community to make the world a much safer and better place.