The words "epidemic" and "pandemic" do not convey the seriousness or communicability of a pathogen. I believe Swine Flu is at Level 6. This implies this pathogen is UNIQUE to humans and the particular strain is no longer present in other animals. The AIDS virus is an example of a pandemic. Everyone can get it. Not everyone has it.

For anyone medical out there, is there a better term to describe a "pandemic" that is very contagious like the 1918 Spanish Flu?