 |
Overview
We live in a sea of microbes on air, land and water. Most are harmless
and do not cause disease. They are part of the normal ecology of
the planet, and also serve as part of the normal ecology of our
bodies, on the skin and in the digestive tract. Microbes and humans
have co-existed on the planet since earliest known times. The best
adapted of microbes peacefully dwell with humans and do not kill
their hosts.
Occasionally microbes can grow in our bodies and cause infection.
The microbes responsible for infectious diseases are formidable
opponents. They are opportunists, taking advantage of poverty, overpopulation,
inadequate sanitation, changing lifestyle and climate changes, causing
the world's great plagues and pandemics. Infectious diseases have
been around since the beginning of time, shaping human history and
threatening the world's population. In addition to our own immune
system that protects us from infection, we have added technology
such as vaccines and antibiotic drugs to combat and prevent deadly
microbial invasion. While there have been successes, there have
also been defeats, creating challenges as scientists continue to
understand and control infectious diseases.
Despite historical predictions that infectious diseases would wane,
new infectious diseases are emerging and old enemies have reappeared
and are challenging our defenses. The battle against infectious
diseases, once thought to have been won, has only just begun. By
understanding the interaction between humans and microbes, we can
effectively combat these often deadly attacks. Just how vulnerable
are we? What are the lessons learned from the past? How can we protect
ourselves before the next epidemic strikes? Read on… |
|
