COVID- 19 terms and what they mean

Terms like epidemic, pandemic, quarantine and incubation period have been used in relation to COVID-19. Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist, offers an explanation of terms you may hear in the news as COVID-19 information evolves:

1. Isolation and quarantine

Isolation and quarantine protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease. Isolation separates those who are sick with a contagious disease from those who are not to avoid transmission. Quarantine separates and restricts movement of people who may have been exposed to a contagious disease but do not yet show symptoms. Those in quarantine are monitored, usually for a period of time known as the incubation period to see if they become sick.

2. Incubation period

This term refers to the time from exposure to an infection to the onset of symptoms. The incubation period is specific to different diseases or conditions. Scientists say the COVID-19 incubation period is 14 days.

3. Epidemic

An epidemic is a rapid increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a given area’s population. A pandemic is a global epidemic that affects a large number of people.

4. Pandemic

This term refers to a global epidemic — one that has spread over several countries or continents, and affects a large number of people.

5. Endemic

Endemic means ongoing transmission or spread of an illness within a certain population or region.