Encyclopedia of Infectious Diseases

Viva-Facts On File's Health & Living Encyclopedias are a collection of clear, comprehensive, and up-to-date resources for understanding and coping with the complexities of modern health and social concerns. Providing an objective overview of the essential facts and wider social ramifications that have been established by experts about the afflictions covered, the encyclopedias are meant for general readers and professionals alike. Offering reliable information, they are the ideal place to begin researching any questions or concerns one has about a specific issue. Each volume contains:

• An extensive A-to-Z reference section that defines the causes, cures, key research, medical terms, symptoms ,treatments, and trends of each field of study

• Detailed appendixes that provide current statistical information

• Extensive bibliographies that serve as starting points for further research

• Comprehensive directories that list organizations, associations, schools, support groups, and publications readers can turn to for further information

Reviews: 

"...a concise guide and easy-to-read resource for the layperson...a timely resource to supply consumers much-needed information on infectious diseases."

—American Reference Books Annual

"...covers a broad spectrum of infectious diseases that may attack the human body...several useful appendices...a valuable addition to hospital or health sciences libraries with a consumer health collection."

—E-Streams

"...a timely update for students and general readers...highly recommended."

—Choice

"The readable text and the clear organization of information make this a useful title for secondary-school and public libraries. It will also be useful in consumer health and patient education collections."

—Booklist

Description:

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the past 20 years have seen an increase in deaths caused by infectious disease, largely due to the HIV epidemic and new, drug-resistant bacteria. Emerging infectious diseases such as the Ebola virus also present a major threat, and diseases such as tuberculosis, once thought vanquished by vaccine, are returning in new, more virulent strains.

This revised and updated second edition to Encyclopedia of Infectious Diseases includes up-to-date information from the most recent research in the field of infectious disease and discusses important terms, diseases, remedies, and advances related to the topic. New and revised entries include:

• anthrax

• bacillary angiomatosis

• bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease)

• Ebola

• emerging infectious diseases

• food poisoning

• HIV home tests

• pneumococcal vaccine

• West Nile virus

All entries are thoroughly cross-referenced and indexed. Four appendixes include lists of drugs used to treat infectious diseases, related organizations, and health publications and an overview of home disinfection. A glossary explains important terms in easy-to-understand language.

Target Audience:

 Libraries