A to Z of Infectious Diseases Book

This second edition of an encyclopedia for the lay person incorporates recent research in the field of infectious diseases, with new and revised entries on topics including anthrax, mad cow disease, Ebola, food poisoning, HIV home tests, and West Nile virus. Four appendices list drugs, related organizations, and health publications, and offer an overview of home disinfection. A glossary is included. Turkington is a medical writer; Ashby is a physician. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Library Journal

Medical writer Turkington and physician Ashby have produced "a guide and reference to a wide range of infectious diseases and their causes." Their dictionary-type guide lists over 600 entries about the diseases, what causes them, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. Six appendixes identify drugs used in treating infectious diseases, tips for disinfecting the home, web sites, hotlines, journals, and health organizations. An extensive bibliography provides additional sources. For academic and medical libraries, Mandell, Douglas and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases (Churchill, 1995. 4th ed.) is the major textbook on this topic. Designed for lay readers, this typical Facts on File reference is written in a very readable style and includes many cross references. Highly recommended for consumer health/patient education collections.--Mary J. Jarvis, Pampa, TX