tinues to evolve at a pace not experienced since
the discovery of antibiotics and vaccines. New
approaches to conditions across the spectrum of
health incorporate methods that use the immune
system’s own mechanisms to prevent and fight
infection and disease.
Infectious DiseasesInfectious diseases remain a significant threat to
health throughout the world. Vaccines, antibiotics,
antiviral medications, and other therapies in com-
bination with community health practices such as
sanitation measures and water purity standards
now can prevent or treat many infections that
were fatal not so long ago. Entries in this section
integrate medical treatments and lifestyle or pre-
ventive approaches, as both are essential to con-
trol the health consequences of infectious diseases.Cancer
Cancer is a broad category of disease that can
affect any body system. Current medical thinking
is that cancer represents an intersection of genetic,
immune, and lifestyle factors in varying mixes
depending on the type of cancer. Like in the
immune system, knowledge in this area is rapidly
and continually changing. New treatments take
advantage of new understandings. The entries in
this section, “Cancer,” cover topics that apply to
cancer in general. Encyclopedia users will find
entries for specific types of cancer in the relevant
body system sections.xiv Preface