This document discusses the spectrum of disease and the iceberg phenomenon. The spectrum of disease refers to the variation in manifestation of a disease, similar to a spectrum of light, where different stages can blend together. For most diseases except rabies, there is a spectrum from subclinical infections to mild, severe, and fatal illness. This reflects an individual's immunity and receptivity. The iceberg phenomenon is used to represent this, with only a small visible portion representing clinical cases, while a much larger hidden portion underneath represents subclinical infections. This hidden mass of undiagnosed cases and carriers is a challenge for preventive medicine to address.

2. “SPECTRUM OF DISEASE” &
Iceberg Phenomenon
BY
DR: NAJEEB MEMON
ASSIST: PROF:
Faculty of Community Medicine & Public Health
Sciences (FCM & PHS)
Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences
(LUMHS) Jamshoro, Sind, Pakistan
e mail
mnajeeb80@gmail.com

3. “SPECTRUM OF DISEASE”

4. SPECTRUM OF DISEASE
Graphic representation of variation
in
manifestation of Disease

5. Like Spectrum of Light
Where one Colors is merged in to
others
&
We can not differentiate one color
from others

6. SPECTRUM OF DISEASE (SoD)
For every Disease (Except Rabies)
Subclinical
&
In apparent
Infections
Illness
Mild
Severe
Fatal Illness
It is Simply reflection of individual’s state of immunity &
receptivity
E.g:-- Leprosy
In Infectious Disease: SoD referred as a “Gradient of Infection”

7. Iceberg of Disease
Peace of Ice in water

8. Subclinical
&
In apparent
Infections
Illness
Mild
Severe
SPECTRUM OF DISEASE
is related to
Iceberg of Disease
Fatal Illness

9. What a
physician sees
in community
Clinical cases
Peace of Ice floats
on water
Water line / Demarcation
Most of portion
remain under
water
Submerged huge portion is
Hidden mass of disease (Latent,
In apparent, Presymptomatic,
undiagnosed cases & carriers) in the
community.
Subclinical Infection
(Illness)
E.g:- Diabetes/ Hypertension /Anemia
/ AIDS/ Hepatitis B & C, Mental
illness
Ice berg (IB) give better concept of Disease Prevalence in Society
Hidden portion of (IB) is a challenge to Modern techniques in preventive
medicine.

10. THANK YOU!
02/24/14
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