Kristina Wright - The Big Book of Infectious Disease Trivia: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Worlds Worst Pandemics, Epidemics, and Diseases

Text copyright 2021 Kristina Wright. Design and concept copyright 2021 Ulysses Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized duplication in whole or in part or dissemination of this edition by any means (including but not limited to photocopying, electronic devices, digital versions, and the internet) will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Published in the US by:

ULYSSES PRESS

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ISBN: 978-1-64604-138-1

ISBN-13: 978-1-6460-4139-8 (eBook)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020946842

Acquisitions editor: Claire Sielaff

Managing editor: Claire Chun

Editor: Kathy Kaiser

Proofreader: Renee Rutledge

Front cover design: Rebecca Lown

Artwork: nobeastsofierce/shutterstock.com

Interior design: what!design @ whatweb.com

NOTE TO READERS: This book is independently authored and published. No endorsement or sponsorship by or affiliation with copyright and trademark holders is claimed or suggested. All references in this book to copyrighted or trademarked products are for the purpose of commentary, criticism, analysis, and literary discussion only.

Welcome to the world of infectious diseases! Youll want to wash your hands and put on a face mask before you dive into this germ pool.

Infectious diseases have plagued humankind since the dawn of time. From the ubiquity of the common cold to malaria, dengue fever, and other diseases that spread like wildfire in tropical climates, communities have endured a dizzying variety of person-to-person and animal-to-person diseases.

Although some infectious diseases are no more than an inconvenience to be weathered with a combination of rest, fluids, over-the-counter medications, and a subscription to Netflix, other diseases have causedand continue to causewidespread illness and death, with no cure in sight.

The Big Book of Infectious Disease Trivia is filled with information about the history of infectious diseases and how they have affected populations around the globe. These diseases have not only influenced how people live, work, and travel, but have also led to the development of cutting-edge science and the creation of medical disciplines, such as epidemiology and virology.

From the familiar diseases, such as influenza, to the ancient diseases, such as leprosy, to the oddly named diseases, such as mad cow disease, to the disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus, COVID-19, The Big Book of Infectious Disease Trivia digs into the mind-blowing facts and obscure details about many infectious diseases, past and present, while offering insight into what our future holds.

As we move into a new normal with COVID-19 and face a future in which words such as social distancing and self-quarantine will certainly linger in our collective consciousness, its important to remember that our ancestors were here before and, even in times of great uncertainty, we can be guided by their fortitude and wisdom. (And comforted by Grandmas recipe for chicken noodle soup.)

For anyone who has ever uttered the words I feel like I have the plague or wondered how COVID-19 is really different from seasonal influenza, The Big Book of Infectious Disease Trivia will answer all of your questions about infectious diseases, as well as covering the strange and bizarre questions you may never have thought to ask.

On this bumpy ride through history, hand sanitizer is a necessity and Anthony Fauci, MD, is our best friend. Are you ready? Good, face masks on, and lets go!