Reviewed by Donna Rainboth
PEERS Program Coordinator
Fighting Infectious Diseases is one of four books in the Microlife series. This interesting and well-written volume looks at agents that cause diseases, the effect of diseases on humans, and the human immune system. The text is accompanied by many photographs, including color-enhanced photos of microscopic organisms such as the Ebola virus. General information about disease agents and methods used to fight them are included along with discussions of various diseases ranging from rabies to AIDS.
Fighting Infectious Diseases begins with basic background knowledge about disease. Pathogens that have been virtually eliminated, such as smallpox, are described as diseases like AIDS that are currently devastating certain populations. Other topics discussed include vaccinations, emerging diseases, continued medical research, and searches for cures. The book concludes with a thought-provoking chapter on biological weapons.
This text will primarily be used as a reference during discussions on health, scientific research, and microscopic organisms. Educators will most likely choose to use it as an enhancement to these topics. The text is appropriate for students in sixth grade and above. There is a great deal of vocabulary but it is defined in context and in the glossary. The layout of this series of publications is excellent, and each book contains an index and lists of additional books that guide the reader to supplementary information. Fighting Infectious Diseases and the other book I reviewed in the Microlife series, A World of Microorganisms would be well-written assets to a classroom or library.
Review posted on 4/11/2001
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