Several common temporal patterns can be observed in epidemiology:
Seasonal Trends: Many diseases exhibit seasonal patterns. For example, influenza cases often peak in winter, while vector-borne diseases like West Nile virus peak in summer. Cyclic Patterns: Some diseases show cyclic patterns over several years. For instance, certain childhood infections like measles tend to occur in cycles. Secular Trends: These long-term trends may reflect changes in population health status, medical practices, or public health interventions. An example is the decline in smoking rates over the past few decades.
