Enc. of Infectious Diseases (Facts on File Library of Health & Living)

In the past 25 years, more than 30 new germs affecting humans have emerged onto the medical scene, most of them rising from animals. New diseases like the avian flu, Ebola, SARS, and weaponized viruses such as anthrax and smallpox pose a growing danger to the world. With the threat of infectious diseases remaining constant, it is essential to have clear and concise information on this topic. The A to Z of Infectious Diseases provides more than 600 up-to-date entries covering the latest research, new treatments and vaccines, and rising diseases such as mad cow disease. Appendixes include drugs used to treat infectious diseases, tips for home disinfection, and lists of helpful organizations and publications, making this the ultimate resource for knowledge about infectious diseases.

Written in jargon-free language for the layperson, this reference contains 600-plus entries discussing infectious diseases and agents, symptoms, prevention, drug treatments and therapies. Entries on major diseases review cause, symptoms, history, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and prevention. Three appendices list drugs, tips on disinfecting the home, and health organizations' addresses and phone numbers. The third edition adds entries on new vaccines and viruses, defensins, food safety, mycoplasma pneumonia, and neonatal infections. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)