Serial interval
Serial interval
The serial interval (pronounced: /ˈsɪəriəl ˈɪntərvəl/) is a term used in epidemiology to describe the time period between successive cases of a disease in a chain of transmission. It is a crucial parameter in understanding the spread of infectious diseases.
Etymology
The term "serial interval" is derived from the Latin word "series" meaning a sequence or succession, and the Latin word "intervallum" meaning space or gap. In the context of epidemiology, it refers to the gap or interval between successive cases of a disease.
Definition
The serial interval is defined as the time from onset of symptoms in a primary case to the onset of symptoms in secondary cases. It is used to estimate the rate of spread of a disease and to predict future cases. The serial interval can vary depending on the disease and the specific circumstances of transmission.
Related Terms
- Incubation period: The time from exposure to an infectious agent until the onset of symptoms.
- Generation time: The time from infection in a primary case to the time of infection in secondary cases.
- Reproduction number: The average number of secondary cases generated by a primary case in a susceptible population.
Use in Epidemiology
In epidemiology, the serial interval is used to understand the dynamics of disease transmission. It can help to estimate the basic reproduction number (R0), which is a key parameter in predicting the spread of a disease. The serial interval can also provide insights into the effectiveness of control measures, as a shorter serial interval may indicate more rapid spread of a disease.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Serial interval
- Wikipedia's article - Serial interval
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