# Epidemic v. Pandemic.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epidemic-v-pandemic/849718>\
**Category:** The Quarantine Zone\
**Tags:** covid-quarantine\
**Created:** [March 18, 2020, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epidemic-v-pandemic/849718 "2020-03-18T10:51:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epidemic-v-pandemic/849718/1 "2020-03-18T10:51:59Z")

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Yes, I could look it up on Wikipedia or my dictionary. But you people, my fellow board members put it so simple, in such a plain truth way:). Plus it is very _a propos_ to what is going on now. And it might also strike up an interesting debate.

**What is the difference between an _epidemic_ and a _pandemic_?**

They told us once in grade school. But I have long since forgot.

Thank you all in advance for your kindly and civil replies:).

:):):):):):)🙂

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epidemic-v-pandemic/849718/2 "2020-03-18T11:36:28Z")

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An epidemic is local, a pandemic is widespread.

Pan = all. Demos = people.

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**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epidemic-v-pandemic/849718/3 "2020-03-18T11:41:42Z")

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Right. But also, epidemic is a broader category that includes “pandemic.” Epidemiologists do research, treatment, and policy guidance for any and all epidemics, including pandemics.

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**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epidemic-v-pandemic/849718/4 "2020-03-18T13:12:31Z")

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Epidemic = Epic

Pandemic = Panic!

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**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epidemic-v-pandemic/849718/5 "2020-03-18T13:53:51Z")

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> [@pool](#):
>
> Epidemic = Epic
> 
> Pandemic = Panic!

Ha! Love it.

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**Author:** ![Carryon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Carryon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carryon)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epidemic-v-pandemic/849718/6 "2020-03-18T21:35:28Z")

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Traditionally an epidemic is when 3 of ten people have the disease

A pandemic is when 9 of ten have the disease

Endemic means it exists continually in an area at low levels (such as malaria)

Thus a disease can be epidemic to a state and pandemic to a city.

WHO uses a much, much looser diverse definition and that has caught on. And the traditional definition has not been used in a few decades, it was used when I was in university in the 90s, that I last saw.