What describes the ratio of individuals who recover from a disease compared to those who were infected?

Study for the Science Olympiad Disease Detectives exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The term that describes the ratio of individuals who recover from a disease compared to those who were infected is known as the survival rate. This metric specifically focuses on the proportion of patients who survive after the onset of the disease, giving a clear picture of the effectiveness of treatment, the virulence of the disease, and overall patient outcomes. In the context of a disease outbreak, a higher survival rate indicates that a greater percentage of those infected successfully recover, which is a crucial statistic for public health assessments.

For clarity, the recovery rate pertains to those who recover from a disease but may not directly relate to all individuals infected, which can lead to some ambiguity. On the other hand, mortality rate measures the proportion of deaths among the infected population, providing insight into the lethality of a disease rather than recovery. Morbidity rate, however, focuses on the incidence of disease or illness within a population, rather than the outcomes of recovery or survival. Therefore, the survival rate is the most accurate term to reflect the ratio of recoveries to infections.

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