This blog post is going to discuss what is epidemic. In the Indian context, there are many contextual challenges which we are facing today; especially, when we inspect in relation to pastoral care and counseling in India. One of the serious challenges is the epidemics, which are encountered by whole humanity.
What is Epidemic
The epidemic is mainly derivatives from the two Greek words ‘Epi’ meaning upon or above and “Demos” meaning people. The epidemic is an occurrence of disease that is temporary of high prevalence.
It occurs when cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period; largely exceed what is expected based on recent experience. The Epidemiologist often considers the term outbreak to be similar to epidemic; but the general public holds the view that the outbreaks are to be more local and less serious than an epidemic.
An epidemic may be restricted to a specific geographical locality. However, if it spreads to other countries or continents and affects a substantial number of people, it may be termed a pandemic.
The declaration of an epidemic usually requires a good understanding of the root cause, rate of incidence, Epidemics for certain diseases, such as influenza, are defined as reaching some defined increase in incidence above this baseline.
A few cases of a very rare disease may classify as an epidemic, while many cases of a common disease (such as the common cold) would not.
Causes of Epidemic
There are several changes that may occur in a communicable agent that may produce an epidemic these include.
- Increased virulence (danger and speed of spreading of diseases).
- The deterioration of individual immunity.
- Changes in the most exposure to the infectious agent.
- An epidemic disease does not always required to be contagious.
Few causes for increasing the vulnerability of the epidemics in the Indian context
- Poverty
- Malnutrition
- Lack of awareness
- Inaccessibility to the medical care
- Large number of population
Types of Epidemic
Common source outbreak:
In a common source outbreak, the affected individuals had exposure to a common agent. If the exposure is singular and all of the affected individuals develop the disease over a single exposure and incubation course; it can be termed a point source outbreak. If the exposure was continuous or variable; it can be termed a continuous outbreak.
Propogated outbreak
In a propagated outbreak, the disease spreads person-to-person. Affected individuals may become independent reservoirs leading to further exposures.
Many epidemics will have characteristics of both common source and propagated outbreaks. For example, secondary person-to-person spread may occur after a common source exposure.
Impacts of Epidemics on humans
Many epidemics involve the impaired relationship of one part of the body with another; or disease caused by an invading micro-organism may represent a breakdown of the relationship with the environment.
Similarly, mental illness includes a breakdown of relationships with others or with the self. (For e.g. Hiroshima Nagasaki incident and Bhopal Gas Tragedy11).
A sick person may go through the following feelings as a result of epidemics.
* Fear of death e.g. If there is doubt and delay in recovery then there is fear of death. Fear of death may increase anxiety and that in turn may adversely affect the healing process.
* Epidemic interfere with the freedom of people. The sick often compelled to stay in bed and accept a discipline imposed upon them by the doctor and nurses.
* Epidemics are also times of loneliness. The sick person cut off from society in which she/he lives and works.
* Epidemics may bring feelings of guilt. When people are active they do not have time to be introspective. But when they are sick, they are compelled to think of their own conduct and behavior. Very often they ask why they are sick? There is also a lurking fear in the hearts of all that disease as a punishment for sin.
* Through epidemics not only the sick person but also the members of the family are affected.
Anxiety
It is about the possible causes and results of sickness. People wonder how their family will cope without them. Who will look after the children?
Uselessness
They feel useless and despairing because they are treated as incapable of working.
Anger
Sick people are often feeling resentful towards those who are well, or angry with the doctor and other medical workers.
Hopelessness
In sickness is prolonged, people can lose hope.
Role of pastoral As a caregiver
Pastoral counseling and pastoral-care-giving are mainly under the umbrella of ‘pastoral care’ it is interlinked together and much wider than just the meaning of it.