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The New Killer Diseases: How the Alarming Evolution of Germs Threatens Us All
Protect yourself and your family from the threat of emerging diseases with a detailed, gripping exploration of the dangerous microbes we’re up against, from a respected immunologist and veteran science author—with a new Epilogue by the authors
“[Levy and Fischetti] excel at describing the sleuthing and science that helped to break the code on emerging infections.”— Los Angeles Times
All around us—in our homes, workplaces, and public spaces—bacteria and viruses are evolving at a feverish rate, and our best defenses against them are in danger of being overwhelmed. The threat posed by an emerging outbreak is as formidable as any challenge the human race has ever faced, and the evolutionary scales may be tipping in favor of the microbes.
From mad cow disease and Asian bird flu to SARS, West Nile virus, and Ebola, more than thirty new diseases have arisen since the 1970s; and old scourges, from plague to tuberculosis, have reemerged in more dangerous forms. But how imminent, really, is the danger?
Through riveting patient information and a behind-the-scenes tour of the health care system, Levy and Fischetti
• How we’ve managed to contain certain epidemics, while allowing others to rage out of control
• Why the demand for vaccines too often exceeds the supply, and why it took the FDA thirty-four years to approve the first new class of antibiotics since 1965.
• How new infectious diseases manifest themselves, symptoms to watch for, and how to get a correct diagnosis in time
• The latest scientific developments, from new genetic techniques to promising drug programs that might allow us to beat back the microbe menace.
The New Killer Diseases will leave you fully informed about the true extent of the threat we face and what you can do to help minimize risk of a pandemic.
“[Levy and Fischetti] excel at describing the sleuthing and science that helped to break the code on emerging infections.”— Los Angeles Times
All around us—in our homes, workplaces, and public spaces—bacteria and viruses are evolving at a feverish rate, and our best defenses against them are in danger of being overwhelmed. The threat posed by an emerging outbreak is as formidable as any challenge the human race has ever faced, and the evolutionary scales may be tipping in favor of the microbes.
From mad cow disease and Asian bird flu to SARS, West Nile virus, and Ebola, more than thirty new diseases have arisen since the 1970s; and old scourges, from plague to tuberculosis, have reemerged in more dangerous forms. But how imminent, really, is the danger?
Through riveting patient information and a behind-the-scenes tour of the health care system, Levy and Fischetti
• How we’ve managed to contain certain epidemics, while allowing others to rage out of control
• Why the demand for vaccines too often exceeds the supply, and why it took the FDA thirty-four years to approve the first new class of antibiotics since 1965.
• How new infectious diseases manifest themselves, symptoms to watch for, and how to get a correct diagnosis in time
• The latest scientific developments, from new genetic techniques to promising drug programs that might allow us to beat back the microbe menace.
The New Killer Diseases will leave you fully informed about the true extent of the threat we face and what you can do to help minimize risk of a pandemic.
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 15, 2003
49 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 31, 2018
People who are already germaphobes should not read this book or you will make yourself crazy. I am astonished by some of the things I read in this book. It will most definitely make you realize how we are all basically walking around w/ something. Like wash your hands folks, seriously. One issue is thinking that hospitals are clean/sterile environments when actually they are some of the worst spaces to be in, ugh. This book goes through so many various diseases from SARS to herpes/chicken pox/shingles to streptococcus & e coli. The stories that are told about what some people have gone through & died from is astounding. The things we used to get vaccinated for decades ago probably saved us from getting such things as TB. People forget that just because there might be an outbreak of something on the other side of the planet, doesn't mean it can't get to us; airplanes people, airplanes. It's maddening that WHO & CDC doesn't do more to keep us safe. The lack of funding under certain administrations to keep scientists & doctors from the research needed is also problematic. This book is worth reading just so you can get an understanding of not just the diseases themselves but how they aren't going anywhere like HIV which happens to be one of the smartest damn buggers around. The possibilities of mutation due to the medication that is given & usually too much, which can also be havoc on your body. People don't realize that antibiotics will never cure a virus. Not how it works. I would say that it was a great learning experience reading this book because it covers so much that people should be aware of.
May 19, 2019
Couldn't get into.
August 14, 2020
Excellent, terrifying, warning of things to come
April 20, 2022
Some good stuff, but a lot of repetition, and a lot of preachiness. Not as good as other books I've read on similar subjects.
Read
February 29, 2024Fggd
September 4, 2016
A well-researched, well-written book, 'The New Killer Diseases' does an excellent job of explaining the bacterial, viral, and prion threats we are up against--or were, as of the book's publication in 2003--in plain English.
My only 'criticism' of 'The New Killer Diseases' is that, thirteen years on from publication, advances in medicine and happenings in world events have made some of what's in the book incorrect and/or dated, respectively. There is a herpes vaccine now, for example, where there wasn't one at the time the book was published, and the text reflects that. One thing that has not changed, and has only grown worse, is the prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria, and the reasons for the increase are the reasons the resistant bacteria gained a foothold in the first place: overprescription of antibiotics by doctors, people stopping antibiotics before finishing the full course, and over/misuse of antibacterial products. Within the last two or three days, the FDA banned almost twenty antibacterial chemicals used in common products (the companies have a year to remove the chemicals from the products or to stop selling the products), and they've asked companies for proof of effectiveness and safety about three more, so, hopefully, that will have a positive impact on drug-resistance.
My only 'criticism' of 'The New Killer Diseases' is that, thirteen years on from publication, advances in medicine and happenings in world events have made some of what's in the book incorrect and/or dated, respectively. There is a herpes vaccine now, for example, where there wasn't one at the time the book was published, and the text reflects that. One thing that has not changed, and has only grown worse, is the prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria, and the reasons for the increase are the reasons the resistant bacteria gained a foothold in the first place: overprescription of antibiotics by doctors, people stopping antibiotics before finishing the full course, and over/misuse of antibacterial products. Within the last two or three days, the FDA banned almost twenty antibacterial chemicals used in common products (the companies have a year to remove the chemicals from the products or to stop selling the products), and they've asked companies for proof of effectiveness and safety about three more, so, hopefully, that will have a positive impact on drug-resistance.
March 25, 2013
Excellent book, absolutely packed full of the latest information on drug-resistant pathogens, including MRSA, Tuberculosis, E-coli 057, Influenza and many others. Dr. Levy, an immunologist and associate professor of microbiology, passes on her knowledge of disease, how it mutates and attacks the human body, and what needs to be done to fight against each one. Essential reading for anyone wanting a brief on all the most pertinent pathogens and the current treatments available. Although Dr. Levy gets a little stuck on vaccinations as the best treatment, the rest of the information is worth sifting through the extra. I would certainly recommend this book if you want clear, specific knowledge on mutant diseases and drug-resistant bacteria/viruses.
January 8, 2015
A well written book sounding the alarms. Though outdated, the concerns of 2003, epoch of SARS, are still relevant today. I am shocked at how little has changed. The Ebola epidemic in West Africa, MERS in Saudi Arabia, Plague in Madagascar and listeria in prepackaged caramel apples; the microbe menace is alive and well.
January 3, 2014
This book is a scary, cautionary novel. This had to be one of the scariest books I have ever read because of how real it is. The book explores the virtual explosion of mutant diseases in the world. The book explains that it is only the beginning of the diseases...
December 5, 2008
SARS, mad cow, E-coli...Bacteria/viruses resisting our drugs. Changes need to be mad to prevent further catastrophes from occurring.
February 7, 2013
Very entertaining! Reading this book definitely emphasizes and reminds us of the importance of washing your hands. I'm going to read the next one soon.
May 28, 2014
Interesting, well-written, not overly technical book about a variety of deadly diseases.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews