The Epidemic Of Infectious Diseases Essay - 1549 Words

For thousands of years, infectious diseases have had a strong influence over human populations by challenging the immune system to continuously adapt to new virulent strains. With the advantage of reproducing more rapidly than the human immune response, microorganisms that cause even minor infections can prove to be fatal (Parham, 2015). Over time, outbreaks such as ‘The Great Plague’ have threatened to bring an end to society. Without the ability to contain these diseases geographically and provide means of prevention, they run the risk of wiping out the human race completely. When considering economic costs, the vast numbers of individuals who fall ill due to an epidemic can increase healthcare costs as well as decrease labour markets. Indirect costs as a result of public actions, such as fleeing the area of outbreak, can contribute to economic damage (Barker Bacon, 2015); not to mentioned the increased likelihood of transferring the disease from one area to another. Two infectious diseases that are of continuous interest today, HIV/AIDS and Ebola, will be contrasted in terms of their outcomes and possible alternatives to tackling similar diseases in the future. Both an economic and social lens will be utilized in order to provide an analysis that covers all implications of the disease. Beginning in the early 20th century in Africa, a retrovirus known as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) presented itself; characterized by an attack on the hosts’ immune systemShow MoreRelatedInfectious Diseases And The Epidemic Essay1273 Words   |  6 PagesInfectious diseases according to the Mariam Webster Dictionary, is â€Å"a disease caused by the entrance into the body of organisms (as bacteria, protozoans, fungi, or viruses) which grow and multiply there†. Infectious diseases has been one of the biggest issues facing mankind since the beginning of time. Particularly due to the fact that we will never truly get rid of infectious diseases as a new one seems to appear every few years. From diseases such as the great plague, the H1N1 influenza and moreRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Infectious Disease911 Words   |  4 Pagespreventing infectious diseases from spreading throughout the human population. However, despite their attempts new and emerging viruses such as HIV/AIDS, Ebola and sudden acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) have continued to develop and cause a drastic impact on society worldwide . As the development of new diseases continues to emerge worldwide there has been an increase in concerns regarding the importance of acquiring new methods to detect and help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. With thisRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Infectious Disease1710 Words   |  7 PagesThe words â€Å"infectious disease† have been feared by humans from the time they were initially discovered and this fear continues to persist into the current status of the 21st century. This inherent fear stems from the ability of the tiny, pathogenic microorganisms responsible for these infectious diseases to wipe out thousands, or even millions from the human population. Though some may view infectious disease is an issue of the past, it still wreaks havoc in many of the worlds’ developing nationsRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Infectious Diseases987 Words   |  4 Pagesconnects to the other. That means it must links up together in order to be infectious diseases. However, the brea king away of any of the link will mean that, transmission of infection is stopped. On the other hand, breaking of any chain can stop the transmission of infection. The concept (infectious diseases) have been one of the major killers of both living and nonliving things and this term was recently replaced with chronic diseases as well as injuries as primary killers in the United States of AmericaRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Infectious Diseases Essay1898 Words   |  8 Pagesdefines infectious diseases as â€Å"diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi that can be spread, directly or indirectly from one person to another† (World Health Organization [WHO], n.d.). Infectious diseases have been plaguing humanity since the beginning of time. One can find stories of infectious diseases outbreaks in various history and/or science textbooks, different disease-based websites, and even the Bible. These types of diseases are treatableRead MoreInfectious And Deadly Diseases : An Indispensable Approach For Understanding Epidemics Of Infectious Diseases890 Words   |  4 PagesResearch paper Infectious and deadly diseases have been known to spread over social networks of people and animals. Network epidemiology has been proved as an indispensable approach for understanding epidemics of infectious diseases and is often used in medical epidemiology and network science. The most famous and practical example of network epidemiology is the GLEAMviz platform, which succeeded in forecasting the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, saving millions of lives. Behind network epidemiology, one canRead MoreEpidemiological Trends And Design Control Programs Essay1710 Words   |  7 PagesWhen looking at infectious diseases and epidemics, one of the better ways of seeing its impact is through mathematical models. Mathematical models allow us to examine the potential impact of these epidemics a well as potential control of the situations. Anderson and May (1992) describe the use of mathematical models, and how they’re advantageous in showing stages of infectious agents within human communities, in order to help interpret epidemiological trends and design control programs. InitiallyRead MorePrevention And Prevention Of Infectious Diseases881 Words   |  4 PagesEliminating Infectious Disease Infectious diseases are viruses, bacteria, or fungi that are transmitted from one another by contact, bodily fluids, or contaminated air, food, or water supply. The diseases make up one-fourth to one-third of worldwide deaths annually and are a major threat to human health. It was believed that vaccines, antibiotics, and public health had effectively eliminated the threat of infectious disease. Because of the belief that infectious diseases were a thing of the pastRead MoreThe Disease Aids And The Us Public Health Department1288 Words   |  6 PagesThe Disease AIDS And The US Public Health Department The disease AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. The epidemic disease AIDS affected the US in 1981. The disease AIDS is defined according the world health Organization (WHO) ‘’ Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a term which applies to the most advanced stages of HIV infection†. An outbreak virus that struck women, men, and children from every single part of world. A known disease of gay men that causedRead MoreMajor Features Of Modern Society1562 Words   |  7 PagesTopic B: New Diseases There are currently many features of modern society that increase ours risk for the development and spread of new infectious diseases, these include such diseases as lymes Disease, West Nile Virus, Staph. Aures (MRSA) and many other new and remerging infectious diseases. In modern society the main issues that are faced include such things as the density of the population, the increased resistance to current antibiotics and antibacterial agent, changing biodiversity, climate