Books in Epidemics Deadly Diseases series

This continuing series explores different diseases to show the science behind how disease-causing organisms affect the body. Microorganisms have plagued humans since the beginning of time, causing debilitating diseases and even death. But how, exactly, do these microorganisms infect and cause disease? The books in this series examine various microbiological scourges that have affected humans as well as the steps that have been taken to identify, isolate, prevent, and eradicate them. Each title will outline the history and treatments of the diseases, highlighting how improvements in prevention and treatment techniques have affected the disease's impact on the world population. Infectious fungi are among the most common disease-causing agents in the world. Whether afflicted with ringworm or thrush, nearly 99 percent of all people will contract a fungus at least once.

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium carried by ticks. Early Lyme disease symptoms are flu-like, including fatigue, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, and neck and back pain. A red rash can also occur. After the bacteria spreads through the body, additional symptoms may include joint and muscle pain, and meningitis, Bell's palsy, and nervous system involvement may arise. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated with a course of antibiotics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and prevention includes using insect repellant and removing ticks promptly from skin and clothing. This new edition of Lyme Disease covers the latest research known about the disease, its treatment, and its effects on the human body. Chapters and topics include: An Introduction to Lyme Disease The History of Lyme Disease The Bacteria The Tick Ecology Lyme Disease Epidemiology The Tests and Treatments for Lyme Disease Prevention

This continuing series explores different diseases to show the science behind how disease-causing organisms affect the body. Microorganisms have plagued humans since the beginning of time, causing debilitating diseases and even death. But how, exactly, do these microorganisms infect and cause disease? The books in this series examine various microbiological scourges that have affected humans as well as the steps that have been taken to identify, isolate, prevent, and eradicate them. Each title will outline the history and treatments of the diseases, highlighting how improvements in prevention and treatment techniques have affected the disease's impact on the world population.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the protective covering that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Most commonly caused by a viral infection, it may also result from infection with bacteria or fungus. Bacterial meningitis is usually more severe than viral meningitis and can lead to hearing loss, learning disabilities, and brain damage. If not treated promptly, it can be deadly. This revised edition of Meningitis contains the most current information on the causes, spread, treatment, and prevention of the disease, as well as new illustrations and new case studies. Updates cover recent meningitis outbreaks, which are a persistent problem in schools and on college campuses, and a recently approved method of diagnosing meningitis more quickly.

This continuing series explores different diseases to show the science behind how disease-causing organisms affect the body. Microorganisms have plagued humans since the beginning of time, causing debilitating diseases and even death. But how, exactly, do these microorganisms infect and cause disease? The books in this series examine various microbiological scourges that have affected humans as well as the steps that have been taken to identify, isolate, prevent, and eradicate them. Each title will outline the history and treatments of the diseases, highlighting how improvements in prevention and treatment techniques have affected the disease's impact on the world population.

This continuing series explores different diseases to show the science behind how disease-causing organisms affect the body. Microorganisms have plagued humans since the beginning of time, causing debilitating diseases and even death. But how, exactly, do these microorganisms infect and cause disease? The books in this series examine various microbiological scourges that have affected humans as well as the steps that have been taken to identify, isolate, prevent, and eradicate them. Each title will outline the history and treatments of the diseases, highlighting how improvements in prevention and treatment techniques have affected the disease's impact on the world population. Also known as the bird flu, avian influenza is a disease that once infected only birds but has acquired the ability to infect humans with deadly results.

Tuberculosis is a serious infection caused most commonly by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium or one of three other organisms of the Mycobacterium genus. Tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs, but the infection can attack any part of the body. If left untreated, tuberculosis can cause lung damage, meningitis, and even death; the World Health Organization reported 1.3 million deaths due to tuberculosis in 2008. Those at highest risk for tuberculosis include those with weakened immune systems and those in areas of the world with poor nutrition and poor access to health care. Most cases of tuberculosis can be treated with a combination of medications that are taken for several months, but failure by many people to fully follow their course of treatment has led to the emergence of drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis bacteria. Tuberculosis, Second Edition covers the history, causes, and treatments of this potentially deadly disease.Chapters include:-The History of Tuberculosis -The Tuberculosis Bacteria -Transmission from Organism to Organism -What Happens Once a Person Is Infected -The Immune Response to Tuberculosis Infection -Screening for Tuberculosis -The Tuberculosis Vaccine.