KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TERMS AND THEIR USAGE WITH REGARDS TO COVID-19

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, several terms have popped up to explain the disease, its containment and treatment. The real question is ‘do people understand these words and what they mean’?

Here are a few terms used to explain the spread of COVID 19, its containment and treatment.

Inflict vs. Afflict

Inflict

To cause or impose something unpleasant (usually pain or suffering).

Afflict

To distress or affect something adversely.

Epidemic vs. Pandemic

Pandemic

The worldwide spread of a new disease.

Epidemic

The occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness, specific health-related behaviour, or other health-related events clearly over normal expectancy.

Quarantine vs. Isolation

Isolation

Separating sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.

Quarantine

Separating and restricting the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.

Virus vs. Viral

A virus is a small parasite that cannot reproduce by itself.

Viral Infection

A viral infection is a proliferation of a harmful virus inside the body.

Confirmed case vs. Presumptive positive case

Confirmed case

Anyone who has tested positive for the virus at the laboratory.

Presumptive case

Anyone who has tested positive for the virus, but testing was conducted at the local or state level