What is Pestilence?
'''Pestilence''' is a word that is used for any highly [[infectious disease]] that can cause an [[epidemic]] or even a [[pandemic]]. It is commonly used for [[parasite]]s too, but only when they cause large scale sickness or death, such as the [[Guinea worm]]. The word meant the disease [[bubonic plague|plague]], which is called ''pestis'' in Latin. It was used for the [[Black Death]] as well, an epidemic of the [[14th century]] that killed Millions of people in Europe. ==Related pages== *[[Disease]] *[[Epidemic]] *[[Pandemic]] *[[List of historical plagues]] ==Other websites== *[http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/03/26/news/worm.php Article in International Herald Tribune 22 March 2006, describing Guinea worm as a pestilence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808183949/http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/03/26/news/worm.php |date=8 August 2007 }} (Linked 23 April 2006) {{med-stub}} [[Category:Infectious diseases]]