Disease evolution refers to how diseases change over time due either genetic changes in pathogens or societal changes affecting exposure or susceptibility to diseases.
Think of disease evolution like a game of chess. The disease (or pathogen) is one player, making moves to spread and survive. Humans (and our immune systems) are the other player, trying to block the disease's moves and ultimately eliminate it.
Epidemiology: The study of how often diseases occur in different groups of people and why.
Pathogen: An organism that causes disease, such as bacteria or viruses.
Immunity: The ability of an organism to resist a particular infection or toxin by the action of specific antibodies or sensitized white blood cells.
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