Killer Germs

Microbes and Diseases That Threaten Humanity

By: Barry E. Zimmerman, David J. Zimmerman

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Paperback | 6 September 2002 | Edition Number 2

At a Glance

Paperback
288 Pages

Edition Type
Revised

Dimensions(cm)
22.86 x 15.24 x 1.78

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Killer Germs is a riveting look at the microbes and diseases that threaten humankind. From the infamous Black Death of medieval Europe and the scourge of smallpox to the 1918 flu pandemic and the Aids crisis, pestilence has changed the course of human history. This book examines the havocwreaking diseases of the past and looks ahead to the emerging threat of new plagues such as the formidable Ebola virus. Killer Germs takes readers into the amazing world of viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and worms to answer questions such as: What disease, known as the "the White Death," has killed two billion people (and counting); What fatal diseas lurks undetected in air conditioners and shower head, waiting to become airborne? Will there ever be a cure for the Ebola virus? In the wake of this fall's horrifying Anthrax attack and heightened concerns about the reemergence of biological and chemical weapons, the public is more keenly aware than ever before of the threats posed by killer organisms. From biblical plagues, to the Aids crisis, to supergerms of the future, this updated and revised edition of the original covers the whole gamut of diseases that have threatened humanity. It also included a new chapter on bioterrorism and the deplorable role it has played and is likely to play in the phenomenal diversity of diseases.

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Medicine Clinical & Internal Medicine Diseases & Disorders Infectious & Contagious Diseases Other Branches of Medicine Pathology Medical Microbiology & Virology Family & Health Popular Medicine & Health Medicine in General Science

Biology, Life Sciences Microbiology excluding Medical Sports & Recreation Social Services & Welfare Coping with / Advice about Personal, Social & Health Topics Coping with / Advice about Illness & Specific Health Conditions

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction	p. xi
The Origin of Disease	p. 1
Extraterrestrial Origins	p. 2
Spontaneous Generation	p. 3
Evolution of Life	p. 4
Germs and Disease: A Brief History	p. 7
Witchcraft, Retribution, and the Humor of It All	p. 7
Seeing the Invisible	p. 10
A Milkmaid's Tale	p. 12
Chance Favors the Prepared Mind	p. 16
A Sheepish Situation	p. 17
Mad Dogs and Frenchmen	p. 18
Doctors of Death	p. 23
That Nasty Little German	p. 27
Magic Bullets	p. 31
The First Chemotherapy	p. 32
The First Antibiotic	p. 35
The First Wonder Drug	p. 38
The Miracle Mold	p. 41
A Miracle from the Soil	p. 45
Back to the Future	p. 49
The White Death	p. 59
Captain of the Men of Death	p. 60
Winning the Battle	p. 65
Losing the War	p. 74
New Kids on the Block	p. 81
Lyme Disease: Getting Ticked Off	p. 82
The Flesh Eaters	p. 89
Legionnaires' Disease: Opportunity Knocks	p. 94
The Virus	p. 101
The Discovery of Viruses	p. 102
How Do Viruses Work?	p. 103
Acute Viral Infections	p. 106
Persistent Viral Infections	p. 108
Our Immune System and Autoimmunity	p. 111
Origin of Viruses	p. 115
Viruses as Agents of Genetic Change	p. 116
Beyond the Virus--the Prion	p. 117
The Gathering Storm--Emerging Viruses	p. 119
Emerging Viruses	p. 121
Marburg	p. 121
Ebola	p. 124
Lassa	p. 127
Hantavirus	p. 128
Dengue	p. 132
West Nile Virus	p. 133
Why Viruses Emerge	p. 136
Common Viruses That Kill	p. 141
Influenza	p. 141
The Swine Flu Scare of 1976	p. 144
The ABCs of Hepatitis	p. 146
Poliomyelitis (Infantile Paralysis)	p. 153
Measles	p. 156
Parasites That Kill	p. 159
Protozoa	p. 160
Flatworms	p. 172
Roundworms	p. 175
Parasitic Fungi: A Fungus Among Us	p. 181
AIDS	p. 183
A New Disease Emerges	p. 183
Searching for the Cause	p. 186
Testing for AIDS	p. 190
Anatomy of a Virus	p. 193
Prevention	p. 196
Treatment	p. 199
Where Did HIV Come From?	p. 202
What Lies Ahead?	p. 204
Bioterrorism	p. 207
The Nations	p. 208
The Germs	p. 219
Bioterrorism Today	p. 233
Conclusion	p. 241
Bibliography and Suggested Readings	p. 247
Index	p. 265
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.

Killer Germs

Microbes and Diseases That Threaten Humanity

At a Glance

Paperback

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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