The Battle For Our Lives
The field of infectious diseases is fascinating. Mystery, intrigue, victory, and devastation are encountered on many levels. Both the invading microbes and their competitors within the immune system are complex. The diseases fomented and the human response makes for gripping tales. But the in-depth study of infectious diseases is decidedly one of the most complicated subjects out there. The innumerable indecipherable terms and the scientific jargon that goes with it make most people want to take a pass at learning more about it.
The Battle For Our Lives attempts to share the fascinating subject of the engagement of our immune system against the microbes that attack us in a conversational, understandable tone. Words like interleukin, interferon, pathogenicity, virulence, and immunomodulation are explained in simple but complete terms. “Eschew obfuscation!”
While microbe versus immune system is vitally interesting, so are some of the stories about the battles against infectious afflictions conducted throughout the ages. Tales of incredible courage, fortitude, tragedy, and triumph are gripping and enlightening. Stories of Florence Nightingale, Louis Pasteur, Edward Jenner, Jonas Salk, and many other indomitable researchers are discussed.
Everybody gets an infectious disease. Common colds, athlete’s foot, urinary tract infection, inflamed fingernail, diarrhea, sore throat, COVID. So many more. The Battle for Our Lives gives an easy-to-understand and thorough explanation of the battle within us. It’s a compelling story.
Contents
Introduction
Words to Remember
Sanitation Transformation
Florence Nightingale; Introduction of Sanitation
Louis Pasteur’s Game Changer
Pasteurization; Foundation of the Germ Theory
Nothing Small About It
Smallpox and the Beginning of Vaccination
Chemical Warfare
The History of Antibiotic Discovery
The Sad Saga of Mary Mallon
Typhoid’s Role in the Science of Epidemiology
What’s Bugging Us
General Description of Pathogenic Organisms
Little Sacs of Poison
Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils
First Responder
The Complement System
Safety Net
Macrophages and Dendritic Cells
Our Own Worst Enemy
Diseases Associated with Macrophages
The Attack of the Killer Lymphocytes
Description of Lymphocyte Activity
The Auxiliary
Acute Phase Proteins and Fever
The Big E
Escherichia coli, Shigella
GI Incursion
Salmonella and Typhoid Fever
A Most Difficult Infectious Disease
Clostridium difficile
Milk Bugs
Brucella and Listeria
Toxic Assault
Tetanus, Botulism, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Cholera
“The Scourge of Armies”
Typhus
Sucker Punch
Giardiasis
Freeloaders
Parasitic Diseases
The Kiss of Death
Trypanosomiasis
“Bad Air”
Malaria
Out of Africa
Ebola and Mosquito-borne Viruses
Reverse Assault
HIV
The World’s Greatest Unintended Consequence
Polio
Mind Control
Rabies and Toxoplasmosis
Kid’s Stuff
Measles
The Black Death
Bubonic Plague
Biological Weaponry
Anthrax
Under The Influence
Influenza
Lifelong Companion
Herpes Viruses
Pathogenic Shapeshifter
Coccidioidomycosis
Budding Trouble
Yeast Infections
Split Personality
Neisseria meningitidis
Crown of Thorns
Coronavirus
Pyogens
Streptococcus and Staphylococcus
Imperiled Infants
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Rubella, Cronobacter
Peptic Predator
Helicobacter pylori
Consumption
Tuberculosis and Leprosy
Infection By Deception
Lyme Disease, Syphilis, Leptospirosis
Beating ‘em To The Punch
Vaccines
Hitting Them Where They Live
Antibiotics
Gut Check
Gut Microbiome
Afterword
References and further reading
The information in this blog was correct at the time of publication. The author does not assume any liability for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions.