EPIDÉMIE, PANDÉMIE A SPOLOČNOSŤ

The increase of infectious diseases among humans dates to about 12 000 years BC and is associated with the transition from hunting and gathering as a dominant substitution strategies towards agriculture and the sedentary way of life. However, diseases and infections plague human species for much longer period. Archaeological and genetic evidence suggests that some diseases are „as old as humanity itself“. Infectious diseases have been one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality throughout history of humankind. The paper aims to introduce the main approaches to the scientific study of pandemics and epidemics. The author considers some of their evolutionary, historical, social and cultural aspects. Special attention is paid to the related conspiracy theories. The author argues that understanding these aspects can help to manage the course of pandemics and epidemics in the future.