Epidemics through the Ages: A Historical Journey of Infectious Diseases

Year 2024, , 180 - 193, 31.05.2024

Elifnaz İlgar , Sevgi Kalkanlı Taş

https://doi.org/10.31020/mutftd.1398724

Abstract

Throughout history, infectious diseases with epidemic potential have emerged regularly, causing profound effects on human history, such as major pandemics and epidemics like the plague, cholera, influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Recently, the world has faced the epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Many of these infectious diseases leading to epidemics stem from zoonotic pathogens, transferring to humans due to increased interactions with animals through activities such as breeding, hunting, and global trade. The growth of urban areas, heightened mobility, and the consequential effects on natural habitats caused by the expanding human populace have heightened the occurrence and dissemination of infectious illnesses, resulting in widespread epidemics and, at times, global pandemics. The transfer of pathogens from animals to humans, known as zoonotic transmission, is a crucial mechanism through which newfound infections have impacted human populations across historical periods. Understanding the transmission mechanisms of these pathogens to humans has enabled the development of methods for prevention and control. Throughout the ages, the implementation of public health measures, including isolation, quarantine, and border control, has played a crucial role in managing the spread of infectious diseases, preserving societal structures. The historical and social ramifications of infectious diseases, dating back to ancient times, serve as constant reminders of the immense impact these diseases wield.

Keywords

Infection, Epidemic diseases, History of medicine

Çağlar Boyunca Salgınlar: Bulaşıcı Hastalıkların Tarihsel Bir Yolculuğu

Abstract

Tarih boyunca salgın potansiyeli taşıyan bulaşıcı hastalıklar ortaya çıkmış ve düzenli olarak yayılarak veba, kolera, grip, şiddetli akut solunum sendromu koronavirüsü (SARS-CoV) ve Orta Doğu solunum sendromu koronavirüsü (MERS-CoV) gibi büyük salgınlara neden olarak insanlık tarihi üzerinde derin etkiler bırakmıştır. Yakın zamanda ise dünya şiddetli akut solunum yolu sendromu koronavirüsü 2 (SARS-CoV-2) salgınıyla karşı karşıya kalmıştır. Salgınlara yol açan bu bulaşıcı hastalıkların çoğu, üreme, avlanma ve küresel ticaret gibi faaliyetler yoluyla hayvanlarla artan etkileşimler nedeniyle insanlara geçen zoonotik patojenlerden kaynaklanmaktadır. Gelişen şehirler, artan seyahatlerin yanı sıra artan insan nüfusu nedeniyle ekosistemler üzerindeki etkiler, bulaşıcı hastalıkların ortaya çıkmasını ve yayılmasını artırarak salgınlara hatta pandemilere yol açmıştır. Patojenlerin hayvanlardan insanlara zoonotik aktarımı, ortaya çıkan enfeksiyonların tarih boyunca insanları etkilemesinde önemli bir mekanizmadır. Bu patojenlerin insanlara bulaşma mekanizmalarının anlaşılması, önleme ve kontrol yöntemlerinin geliştirilmesine olanak sağlamıştır. Çağlar boyunca izolasyon, karantina ve sınır kontrolü gibi halk sağlığı önlemlerinin uygulanması, bulaşıcı hastalıkların yayılmasının kontrol altına alınmasına ve toplum yapısının korunmasına yardımcı olmuştur. Eski Çağlardan içinde bulunduğumuz tarihe kadar uzanan bulaşıcı hastalıklar bunların yaşamlara, tarihsel ve toplumsal eğilimlere etkisi, bize sürekli olarak bulaşıcı hastalıkların taşıdığı muazzam gücü hatırlatmaktadır.

Keywords

Enfeksiyon, salgın hastalıklar, tıp tarihi

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