The Secret Life of Germs; What They Are, Why We Need Them, and How We Can Protect Ourselves Against Them

by Philip M., Ph.D. Tierno Jr.

• ISBN13: 9780743421874
• ISBN10: 0743421876
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-10-29
• Publisher: Atria

Summary

They're everywhere. Silent and invisible to the naked eye, they're on everything we touch, eat, breathe -- on every single inch of our skin. And despite the remarkable advances of science, germs are challenging medicine in ways that were unimaginable just a decade ago. Due to an explosion of infections never before reported in modern history and a new germ horror story surfacing every week, it's no small wonder that we're frightened -- and that antibacterial soaps are a billion-dollar business. Now, renowned microbiologist Philip Tierno cuts through the media hype with the compulsively readable Secret Life Of Germs, revealing exactly where the greatest threats may be hiding. The Secret Life Of Germs provides an inside view of this fascinating and elegantly ordered microscopic world -- from the common cold, E. coli, and Lyme disease to encephalitis, mad cow disease, and anthrax. It takes readers on a historical survey of the culprits of disease and explores the effect that they -- and the scientists who study them -- have had on our world. Rising above the common scare-tactic techniques used by many authors, Dr. Tierno's message is an optimistic one. Recognizing that humans are more often than not the main spreaders of disease, he offers numerous protective response strategies -- health and hygiene tips for inside and outside the home, advice on food safety, and pointers on human contact -- to stop the transmittal. Filled with practical and enlightening information, The Secret Life Of Germs is an engaging book that will keep readers mesmerized while helping them stay healthy.

Author Biography

Internationally known as the man who helped solve the mystery behind toxic shock syndrome, Philip M. Tierno Jr., Ph.D., is the director of clinical microbiology and diagnostic immunology at New York University Medical Center and Mt. Sinai Medical Center and a part-time associate professor in the departments of microbiology and pathology at New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Tierno has published numerous papers on microbial ecology and environmental and medical microbiology in leading scientific and medical journals worldwide and has appeared on many national shows such as 20/20, Oprah, Dateline NBC, and PrimeTime. Dr. Tierno lives in New York City.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Part I The Animalcules	1	(86)
Seeds of Disease, Seeds of Life	3	(7)
How We Make Each Other Sick	10	(20)
The Germ Domain	30	(12)
The Germ Factory	42	(20)
The Enemy Within	62	(25)
Part II The Seeds of Disease	87	(112)
Person to Person	89	(29)
Common Ground	118	(31)
In Thin Air	149	(21)
On the Wing and on Eight Little Legs	170	(29)
Part III The New Age	199	(80)
Not the Usual Suspects	201	(21)
The Germ Revolt	222	(14)
Germ Warfare and Terrorism	236	(15)
Germs for Life	251	(28)
Index	279