Infectious diseases have played a dominant role in the history of human disease and medical care. This volume provides essential, accessible information on scores of infectious diseases, their spread through populations, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment. The text, organised alphabetically, spotlights how infectious diseases have influenced key aspects of human civilisation. How the human body defends itself against contagion is also the subject of articles. Which components of the immune system interact to fight certain diseases? How do they triumph -- or fail? Other entries explore bioterrorism, the difference between viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, HIV/AIDs, antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, public health, hygiene, and disease control, and new techniques for the diagnosis of infections. What can be done to avoid and prevent infections is also addressed.

This second supplement to the Human Diseases and Conditions is published in collaboration with a medical board from the Nemours Foundation of the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware. It includes about 75 articles and more than 60 photos and illustrations.