Books in Epidemics Deadly Diseases series

Whooping cough is a serious infectious disease characterized by coughing fits so intense that the afflicted person has difficulty breathing. This disease is most serious in infants who are too young to be vaccinated and in young children who are unvaccinated. Whooping cough is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which destroys ciliated cells in the respiratory tract that naturally protect against infections. Whooping Cough looks at the disease's symptoms and transmission, history, vaccine, and recent research.Deadly diseases affect everyone. Although not all cases are fatal, each disease causes a degree of harm and discomfort to those whom it afflicts and sometimes can have long-lasting consequences. Each book in the series Deadly Diseases and Epidemics takes the reader through all aspects of a disease---from its history and causes or method of infection to its treatment and prevention. The books provide a foundation for understanding the basics of microbiology, immunology, and epidemiology.

Caused by a virus that is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, yellow fever gets its name for the jaundice it causes its victims. This hemorrhagic illness has plagued humans throughout history, and before the development of a yellow fever vaccine, the mortality rate from this disease was high. Tropical nations now prevent epidemic yellow fever levels through vaccination, and travelers to these areas are advised to take precautions. Yellow Fever explores both the historical and epidemiological aspects of this disease. Colorful photographs, maps, and illustrations provide important explanations of various aspects of yellow fever, and information on vaccination, treatment, prevention, and up-to-date statistics on worldwide incidences are provided. Chapters include:The American PlagueThe Impact of Disease on HistoryViral DiseasesYellow Fever Signs and SymptomsEpidemiologyDiagnosis, Treatment, and PreventionFuture Prospects of Controlling Yellow Fever.

Botulism is a disease caused by a deadly toxin produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. The bacterium can thrive in food that has been improperly prepared or stored and can also enter the body through a tear in the skin. Botulism toxin causes paralysis and breathing difficulties and can be fatal if not treated quickly. Because of its potent toxicity, botulin toxin is considered a potential weapon for biological terrorism. It is also the basis for Botox®, a cosmetic drug. This revised edition of Botulism contains up-to-date information on this disease, exploring its history, causes, statistics, and recent diagnostic and treatment breakthroughs. It also includes accounts of numerous recent outbreaks, which have occurred annually for the past several years in the United States.Chapters include:Historical Perspective Causes of BotulismTransmission of Botulism Diagnosis of Botulism Botulism and the Nervous System Treating Botulism Preventing Botulism Concerns for the Future: Botulism and BioterrorismHopes for the Future.

Escherichia coli bacteria cause many illnesses of the gastrointestinal tract. Often, people come down with these diseases when they eat contaminated foods, especially ground beef or raw produce. Though E. coli infections are most common in less developed parts of the world, they are also a problem in the United States—contamination occurred in prepackaged cookie dough in 2009 and in spinach in 2006. But all E. coli are not harmful, as strains found in the human intestinal system can help with vitamin K production or in fighting harmful bacteria. This revised edition of Escherichia coli Infections contains up-to-date information on the different strains of E. coli, including the latest outbreaks, statistics, diagnostic breakthroughs, and vaccine development. Chapters include:E. coli Outbreaks What Is E. coli? E. coli Diseases E. coli Colonization and Transmission Epidemiology of E. coli InfectionsDisease Pathogenesis Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Disease PreventionFuture Possibilities and Concerns.

Ebola virus and Marburg virus are related viruses that cause hemorrhagic fevers illnesses marked by severe bleeding, organ failure, and, in many cases, death. These viruses are native to Africa, where sporadic outbreaks have occurred for decades. Ebola and Marburg Virus, Second Edition takes a look at the nature and origins of these viruses, transmission, treatment, and current vaccine research. Chapters include: A Modern Plague The Emergence of Marburg Virus Ebola in Africa and Beyond Characteristics of Filoviruses Ecology of the Viruses Detection and Treatment Developing a Vaccine Other Hemorrhagic Fevers.