As COVID-19 wreaks havoc worldwide, your life has changed overnight. You’re sheltering in place and washing your hands a lot. When events like this take place, terms we don’t use all the time enter our vocabularies. So you’re probably wondering right now, epidemic vs. pandemic?
What’s the difference? How does this impact substance abuse treatment?
What Is an Epidemic Vs. Pandemic?
The Oxford Dictionary defines an epidemic as “A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.”
They give an example of a bad outbreak of the flu in a particular country.
So an epidemic can sicken and kill a lot of people, but it is localized. Some other epidemics you may have heard of are:
- Zika
- Ebola
- Malaria
- Smallpox
- Opioid
A pandemic, on the other hand, is an epidemic that doesn’t just impact one state, country, or region. It infects many around the world.
HIV/AIDS is a pandemic. The regular flu can also be considered a pandemic. That’s because the flu also infects and kills many people around the world each year.
More people aren’t as alarmed about the flu because we have vaccines for most types of flu. This limits how many people it can infect and kill. The same can’t be said for COVID-19.
As of the date of this article, there is no vaccine. That’s why it has spread so quickly.
Is COVID-19 an Epidemic or Pandemic?
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 a pandemic. It’s impacted almost every country in the world now. No matter where you are, you have some level of risk.
Pandemic Vs. Epidemic: Which Is More Dangerous?
A pandemic may infect and kill more people around the world. But because an epidemic is local, you’re more likely to see the effects of a disease because you live in that hotspot.
So epidemic vs. pandemic? They can be equally dangerous, depending on how close you are to major outbreaks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responsible for guiding the American people on how to stay safe from epidemics and pandemics. So you should refer to them for the most updated instructions.
But COVID-19 isn’t the only epidemic the CDC is fighting right now in the U.S. Another epidemic is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.
The Fifth Leading Cause of Death in the U.S.
No, it’s not heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. One in 96 Americans will die from an opioid overdose. Addiction has killed over 1,000,000 people since 2000. That includes meth, alcohol, cocaine, and other dangerous drugs.
And if you’re worried about catching COVID-19, you’ll want to take note of what we’re about to say.
Addiction can also destroy your health, your lungs, and your immune system. So when you’re faced with a deadly disease like COVID-19, you experience increased risk. And it doesn’t matter how young you are.
The best thing you can do right now is to give yourself a fighting chance by taking steps to overcome your addiction once and for all. To do that, you need the caring support of skilled professionals who understand addiction.
You need the encouragement of those who can help you achieve a healthier life and lasting recovery.
Choose Health in Recovery
It’s time to do something for yourself and those you love. It’s time to get healthy through addiction treatment. In our programs, we help you explore how addiction takes away your self-control. We help you replace self-defeating habits with more productive ways of living. You’ll learn the skills to thrive in recovery.
Epidemic vs. pandemic? Does it really matter which COVID-19 is when a killer like addiction already controls your life? Please choose health. Contact Memphis Recovery Centers at 901-272-7751 to speak with a caring professional.
