Killer Germs: Rogue Diseases of the Twenty-First Century

by Pete Moore

Book Overview

From smallpox and syphilis to yellow fever and ebola, this book will fascinate and inform readers about some of modern society's greatest fears. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1842221507
• ISBN13: 9781842221501
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Carlton Publishing Group
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.5" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

From Malaria to Mad Cow...

From malaria to mad cow, author Pete Moore leads the reader through history explaining many diseases we are faced with today. His style is more laid back than a textbook, but he did a thorough job on the research and presents a very factual account of the how, why, and where behind viruses and bacteria. Enough information to get one thinking, and wanting to know more about Machupo and influenza as well as AIDS and Yellow Fever. Amongst all the seemingly depressing accounts of outbreaks we hear about through the media today, progress through vaccines and other types of treatment as well as current research is described within this book. Moore outlines how choices within our control, and decisions as simple as buying a steak from the market are influencing antibiotic use and resistance. A substantial percentage of the income of veterinarians in Denmark came from the sale of antibiotics until laws were altered to reduce allowable profit from antibiotic sales to no more than 5%. A 40% decline in "therapeutic antibiotic" use ensued when this monetary incentive was reduced. Antibiotic resistance can also be decreased in the absence of excessive use, as demonstrated in Denmark, showing that with their quick reproduction and mutation rates bacteria can become less resistant to bacteria once decisions are made to change the current ways. There is a lot that can be learned from other countries, and Moore uses many examples from throughout the world. This book is not only for those interested in medicine, but for anyone living today, as these diseases affect each of us in many ways throughout our lives. Killer Germs will lead us to better understand many of these diseases. If you have ever wondered why a new flu vaccine is developed and administered each year or why phages are not readily used as means of fighting infection in the Western world, or how obesity may be linked to a virus, read this book!

Superbugs superbook

A SUPER READ.Not so good if you read it in hospital, as I started to, as it can cause sleepness nights.Gives a good summary of the main type of bugs you are likely to read about or encounter and a potted history of the same.Well organised and easily read.A must read for anybody in or visting a hospital; or anyone who is interested in the possible future of the human race.

Informative and interesting book, easy read.

This is a great book for the average person to read, or for a student or teacher of microbiology to read. I teach microbiology, and hope to use this book in my courses if I can get enough copies of it for my students at my college.

The best book of its kinda

I have never read a book on infectious disease that has been so well researched and well written. You do not need a degree in microbiology to understand this book. The information is so gripping I read the book in a day, I just could not put it down. I am a college student in microbiology and was amazed at how much information was provided regarding the history of infectious disease and the scientists that have help in the war against them - only to find out that the same microorganisms are rearing their ugly heads - again????? Strep throat has never been a problem in my lifetime but it looks like it will be in the near future. If you ejoyed the Coming Plague this is the book for you

An Award-winning book

This book has just been Commended in the BUPA/Medical Journalists' Associationn Awards 2001 for "excellence in communicating medical and health information in a book for the lay reader".