As recently as 50 years ago, infectious diseases were the leading cause of death in children and young adults. That picture has changed with the introduction of immunization against the major childhood diseases, antibiotics to kill bacteria, and a wide range of other anti-infective drugs.
This section describes the drugs that are used to protect the body against infectious disease as well as to control or cure infections and infestations once they have developed.
The first article discusses vaccines and immunoglobulins, which are given to provide immunity against certain infections and to prevent the spread of diseases. The next article describes antibiotics, a large group of drugs used widely to treat bacterial infections. In the UK, millions of prescriptions are written for these drugs each year.
The following articles in this section explain how drugs are used to treat infections caused by viruses, protozoa, and fungi. The information includes discussion of the prevention and cure of malaria and of recent advances made in the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS. The final article deals with drugs to eradicate parasitic worm infestations.
For more information on the structure and function of infectious organisms, see Viruses.
From the 2010 revision of the Complete Home Medical Guide © Dorling Kindersley Limited.
The subjects, conditions and treatments covered in this encyclopaedia are for information only and may not be covered by your insurance product should you make a claim.