Infectious Diseases

Traditionally only those physicians with many years of experience in a particular speciality chose to commit their accumulated knowledge to print for general consumption. Although of relatively tender years I can remember and sympathize with the problems of learning the 'Infectious Disease Trade' as a medical student and later as a junior hospital doctor. This book is an attempt to journey through and remedy my ignorance-in retrospect. I have thus attempted to provide an unashamedly clinical intro duction to Infectious Diseases which is of particular interest and use to medical students and junior hospital staff, especially those about to enter General Practice. I hope I have succeeded. Suggested further reading Christie, A. B. (1974). Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology and Clinical Practice. (Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone) Hoeprich, P. D. (1977). Infectious Diseases. (London: Harper and Row) Ramsay, A. M. and Emond, R. T. D. (1978). Infectious Diseases. (London: Heinemann Medical Books) Youmans, G. P. , Paterson, P. Y. and Sommers, H. M. (1975). The Biologic and Clinical Basis of Infectious Disease. (W. B. Saunders Company) 1 1 Infection and infectious diseases: basic principles INTRODUCTION Infection may be defined as an abnormal state caused by multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in or on the body of a host: this may cause disease, have no observable effect, or may even be of benefit to an infected host.