Investigating Tuberculosis and Superbugs

by Kelly, Evelyn B.; Wilker, Ian; Ambrose, Marylou

• ISBN13: 9780766033436
• ISBN10: 0766033430
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-09-01
• Publisher: Enslow Pub Inc

Summary

Tuberculosis is a highly infectious disease that can be very hard to treat. What used to be considered a very treatable disease is now one that has become drug-resistant. Learn about tuberculosis and other diseases that have become resistant to antibiotics, such as MRSA, malaria, and influenza, In this current and informative book.

Author Biography

Evelyn B. Kelly, Phd is an educator with more than 37 years of experience at the high school and college levels. She has written widely on health, medical, and educational topics and contributed to six encyclopedias. Ian Wilker has edited numerous science titles for young adults and written on travel. He currently works as a communications and IT consultant for nonprofits. Marylou Ambrose is an award-winning medical author with 30 years of experience writing for magazines, books, and newspapers. She has a BS in journalism from Syracuse University and has authored or co-authored four books and a dozen plays.

Table of Contents

What are Tuberculosis and other Superbugs?	p. 7
Introduction	p. 9
Understanding Tuberculosis	p. 11
What is TB?	p. 14
Types of TB	p. 16
How is TB Transmitted?	p. 17
How is TB Invades the Body	p. 18
Who Gets TB?	p. 22
Who Is Most at Risk?	p. 23
TB Around the World	p. 23
When TB Goes Untreated	p. 24
Drug-Resistant TB	p. 25
Understanding other Superbugs	p. 29
Frightening Bacterial Infections	p. 29
Gram-Positive Bacteria	p. 30
Gram-Negative Bacteria	p. 34
A Persistent Parasitic Infection	p. 38
Pervasive Viral Infections	p. 41
The History of TB and other Superbugs	p. 47
The Origins of TB	p. 47
Scourge of the Industrial Revolution	p. 48
Pioneers in TB Research	p. 51
Attempts at Treatment and Prevention	p. 53
The Search for a Vaccine	p. 53
Enter Antibiotics	p. 56
The Roots of Drug-Resistant TB	p. 56
The New York City Epidemic	p. 57
Drug-Resistant TB in Other Countries	p. 59
History of Other Drug-Resistant Diseases	p. 59
Preventing TB and Other Superbugs	p. 67
Public Health Initiatives	p. 67
Vaccines	p. 71
Travel Precautions Against Superbugs	p. 74
Immigration Screening for Superbugs	p. 75
Importance of Hand Washing	p. 75
Getting Savvy about Sickness	p. 78
Testing and Treatment	p. 85
Diagnosing TB	p. 85
Treating TB	p. 90
Diagnosing and Treating Other Superbugs	p. 95
Outlook for the Future	p. 105
Advances in TB Research	p. 105
TB vs. the Immune System	p. 111
New Drugs and Diagnostic Tools	p. 112
What's Ahead for Other Superbugs?	p. 119
Living with TB and Other Superbugs	p. 127
TB in the United States	p. 127
TB in Africa	p. 131
Living with Other Superbugs	p. 133
TB and Superbug Timeline	p. 140
Chapter Notes	p. 143
Glossary	p. 152
For more Information	p. 155
Further Reading	p. 155
Internet Addresses	p. 155
Organizations	p. 156
Index	p. 157
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