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Ch. 14 - Infection, Infectious Diseases, and Epidemiology
Bauman - Microbiology with Diseases by Taxonomy 6th Edition
Bauman6th EditionMicrobiology with Diseases by TaxonomyISBN: 9780134832302Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksBauman 6th EditionCh. 14 - Infection, Infectious Diseases, and EpidemiologyProblem 8
Chapter 14, Problem 8

The total number of cases of a disease in a given area is its __________.

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1
Understand the terminology used in epidemiology to describe disease occurrence in a population.
Recall that the 'total number of cases of a disease in a given area' refers to all existing cases, both new and pre-existing, during a specific time period.
Differentiate between 'incidence' and 'prevalence': incidence refers to new cases only, while prevalence includes all cases.
Recognize that the term describing the total number of cases (new and existing) in a population at a given time is 'prevalence'.
Therefore, the blank should be filled with the word 'prevalence'.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Prevalence

Prevalence refers to the total number of existing cases of a disease in a specific population at a given time. It includes both new and pre-existing cases, providing a snapshot of how widespread the disease is within that area.
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Incidence

Incidence measures the number of new cases of a disease that develop in a population during a specific time period. It helps in understanding the risk of contracting the disease but does not account for existing cases.

Epidemiology

Epidemiology is the study of how diseases spread, their frequency, and distribution in populations. It uses concepts like prevalence and incidence to analyze and control health problems effectively.
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Contrast the terms infection and morbidity.

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An animal that carries a pathogen and also serves as host for the pathogen is a ___________ vector.

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