Abstract
An infectious disease is the result of invasion and multiplication of microorganisms within the body. The infection may remain local and can resolve with no treatment, or it can spread to other tissues or organs. Depending on the virulence of the organism and the competence of the immune response to deal with the infection, there may be full recovery, chronic disease or death. Knowledge about the causes, control and treatment of infectious diseases has increased greatly in modern times, particularly with public health measures to prevent their spread and antibiotic therapies to combat microorganisms causing disease.
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© 2000 Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
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Bishop, R.T.E. (2000). Infectious Diseases. In: Brackenridge, R.D.C., Elder, W.J. (eds) Medical Selection of Life Risks. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-14499-0_35
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-14499-0_35
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
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