Viruses, Plagues, and History: Past, Present, and Future
More people were killed by smallpox during the twentieth century—over 300 million—than by all of the wars of that period combined. In 1918 and 1919, influenza virus claimed over 50 million lives. A century later, influenza is poised to return, ongoing plagues of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis infect millions, and Ebola, Zika, and West Nile viruses cause new concern and panic.

The overlapping histories of humans and viruses are ancient. Earliest cities became both the cradle of civilization and breeding grounds for the first viral epidemics. This overlap is the focus of virologist/immunologist Michael Oldstone in Viruses, Plagues and History. Oldstone explains principles of viruses and epidemics while recounting stories of viruses and their impact on human history. This fully updated second edition includes engrossing new chapters on hepatitis, Zika, and contemporary threats such as the possible return of a catastrophic influenza, and the impact of fear of autism on vaccination efforts. This is a fascinating panorama of humankind's longstanding conflict with unseen viral enemies, both human successes—such as control of poliomyelitis, measles, smallpox and yellow fever, and continued dangers—such as HIV and Ebola. Impeccably researched and accessibly written, Viruses, Plagues and History will fascinate all with an interest in how viral illnesses alter the course of human history.
"1131902157"
Viruses, Plagues, and History: Past, Present, and Future
More people were killed by smallpox during the twentieth century—over 300 million—than by all of the wars of that period combined. In 1918 and 1919, influenza virus claimed over 50 million lives. A century later, influenza is poised to return, ongoing plagues of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis infect millions, and Ebola, Zika, and West Nile viruses cause new concern and panic.

The overlapping histories of humans and viruses are ancient. Earliest cities became both the cradle of civilization and breeding grounds for the first viral epidemics. This overlap is the focus of virologist/immunologist Michael Oldstone in Viruses, Plagues and History. Oldstone explains principles of viruses and epidemics while recounting stories of viruses and their impact on human history. This fully updated second edition includes engrossing new chapters on hepatitis, Zika, and contemporary threats such as the possible return of a catastrophic influenza, and the impact of fear of autism on vaccination efforts. This is a fascinating panorama of humankind's longstanding conflict with unseen viral enemies, both human successes—such as control of poliomyelitis, measles, smallpox and yellow fever, and continued dangers—such as HIV and Ebola. Impeccably researched and accessibly written, Viruses, Plagues and History will fascinate all with an interest in how viral illnesses alter the course of human history.
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Viruses, Plagues, and History: Past, Present, and Future

Viruses, Plagues, and History: Past, Present, and Future

by Michael B. A. Oldstone
Viruses, Plagues, and History: Past, Present, and Future

Viruses, Plagues, and History: Past, Present, and Future

by Michael B. A. Oldstone

Paperback(2nd ed.)

$25.99 
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Overview

More people were killed by smallpox during the twentieth century—over 300 million—than by all of the wars of that period combined. In 1918 and 1919, influenza virus claimed over 50 million lives. A century later, influenza is poised to return, ongoing plagues of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis infect millions, and Ebola, Zika, and West Nile viruses cause new concern and panic.

The overlapping histories of humans and viruses are ancient. Earliest cities became both the cradle of civilization and breeding grounds for the first viral epidemics. This overlap is the focus of virologist/immunologist Michael Oldstone in Viruses, Plagues and History. Oldstone explains principles of viruses and epidemics while recounting stories of viruses and their impact on human history. This fully updated second edition includes engrossing new chapters on hepatitis, Zika, and contemporary threats such as the possible return of a catastrophic influenza, and the impact of fear of autism on vaccination efforts. This is a fascinating panorama of humankind's longstanding conflict with unseen viral enemies, both human successes—such as control of poliomyelitis, measles, smallpox and yellow fever, and continued dangers—such as HIV and Ebola. Impeccably researched and accessibly written, Viruses, Plagues and History will fascinate all with an interest in how viral illnesses alter the course of human history.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780190056780
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication date: 09/01/2020
Edition description: 2nd ed.
Pages: 512
Sales rank: 694,328
Product dimensions: 5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Michael B. A. Oldstone is a member (Professor) at The Scripps Research Institute where he directed the Laboratory of Viral-Immunobiology. He received multiple international and national awards for the fruits of his contribution to virology and immunology and has been elected to several international and national academic societies including the National Academy of Sciences (USA) and the Scandinavian Society for Immunology. He has been a consultant to multiple institutions including the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health (USA).

Table of Contents

Part I Viruses, Plagues, and History

Chapter 1 A General Introduction 3

Chapter 2 Introduction to the Principles of Virology 11

Chapter 3 Introduction to the Principles of Immunology 23

Part II Success Stories

Chapter 4 Smallpox: The Geopolitical Impact of Smallpox 37

Chapter 5 Yellow Fever 89

Chapter 6 Measles Virus 123

Chapter 7 Poliomyelitis 151

Chapter 8 Hepatitis Viruses: Oysters, Blood Transfusions, and Cancer 187

Part III Present and Future Challenges

Chapter 9 An Overview of Newly Emerging Viral Plagues: The Hemorrhagic Fevers and a Newly Mysterious Suspect of Viral Disease, Acute Flaccid Paralysis 203

Chapter 10 Lassa Fever 215

Chapter 11 Ebola 223

Chapter 12 Hantavirus 241

Chapter 13 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, the First Pandemic of the Twenty-First Century; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome; and the 2019-2020 Outbreak of 2019-nCoV 247

Chapter 14 West Nile Virus: Deaths of Crows and Humans 261

Chapter 15 Zika Comes to the Western Hemisphere and Americas: How, When, Consequences 281

Chapter 16 Human Immunodeficiency Virus: AIDS, the Current Plague 295

Chapter 17 Mad Cow Disease and Englishmen: Dementia of Humans-Prions: Folding Protein Transmissible Diseases 331

Chapter 18 Influenza Virus, the Plague That Will Continue to Return 355

Chapter 19 Apathy and Ignorance: False Prophets of Autism and the Anti-Vaccine Movement 389

Chapter 20 Conclusions and Future Predictions 399

References 413

Index 467

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