Plagues, Pandemics and Viruses (From the Plague of Athens to Covid 19) - 9781578597390

Viruses are neither alive nor dead and are the closest thing we have to zombies. Their only known function is to replicate themselves, which can have devastating consequences on their hosts. Most, but not all, bacteria are good for us. Some are truly horrific, including those that caused the bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic plagues. And viruses and bacteria are always morphing, evolving, and changing, making them hard to treat. Plagues, Pandemics and Viruses is a frightening recounting of the destruction wrought by disease.

Along with looking at some of history’s most notorious plagues, pandemics and diseases, Plagues, Pandemics and Viruses takes a look at human resilience and what we’ve learned from past pandemics. It looks at how science, the medical community and governments have conquered or mitigated most epidemics even before they can turn into pandemics. It reviews the science of pandemics, preventative measures, and medical interventions.

This fascinating tome describes the government agencies responsible for preventing pandemics, including the Department of Health and Human Services and World Health Organization, as well as how different governments agencies in the United States and across the globe coordinate at the first sign of an outbreak. Plus, it discusses what individuals can do to significantly reduce the human body’s susceptibility to viruses and bacteria, including the importance of conscientious hand washing, flu shots, and proper nutrition.

With more than 120 photos, Plagues, Pandemics and Viruses is richly illustrated, and its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness. It is an invaluable resource for anyone wanting to protect themselves from plagues, pandemics, epidemics, viruses, and disease. It offers lessons from the past sure to minimize the uncertainties ahead.