Viruses: What Doesn't Kill Them Makes Us Weaker

by Colleen Fleshman

Viruses are everywhere. When we get a cold or the flu, it's caused by a viral infection. SARS, Ebola, and shingles are all caused by viruses. But what are viruses anyway? And what can we do to stop them? Viruses have a special status in the world of medicine because, unlike bacteria and fungi that infect us, viruses are not alive. This makes preventing viruses a challenge. The Layman's Guide to Medical Viruses provides an introduction to the most common viruses with details on how they infect us, how they spread, and what we can do about them. Have you ever wondered why you're immune to the chicken pox with one infection, but you get dozens of colds? Are you curious why the flu can't be treated by antibiotics? If so, this is the book for you. Written in a conversational style and a user-friendly length, The Layman's Guide to Medical Viruses is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding their health.

64 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 21, 2015

About the author

Colleen Fleshman grew up in the Midwest but has spent her adult life moving from place to place. She studied German in college, spent a year in Austria, and moved to Wisconsin to do technical support after she graduated. She is an avid traveler and has visited more than 30 countries. She used to enjoy running and completed two marathons, but she now spends most of her exercise time playing with her 3-year-old dog. She currently lives in Florida, where she is in her first year in medical school.