Title
Catching Breath: The Making and Unmaking of Tuberculosis (Bloomsbury Sigma),Used
Processing time: 1-3 days
US Orders Ships in: 3-5 days
International Orders Ships in: 8-12 days
Return Policy: 15-days return on defective items
Payment Option
With more than a million victims every yearmore than any other disease, including malariaand antibiotic resistance now found in every country worldwide, tuberculosis is once again proving itself to be one of the smartest killers that humanity has ever faced. But it's hardly surprising considering how long it's had to hone its skills. Fortythousand years ago, our ancestors set off from the cradle of civilization on their journey towards populating the planet. Tuberculosis hitched a lift and came with us, and it's been there ever since; waiting, watching, and learning.The organism responsible, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has had plenty of time to adapt to its chosen habitathuman lungsand has learned through natural selection to be an almost perfect pathogen. Using our own immune cells as a Trojan Horse to aid its spread, it's come up with clever ways to avoid being killed by antibiotics. But patience has been its biggest lessonit can enter into a latent state when times are tough, only to come back to life when a host's immune system is compromised. Today, more than one million people die of the disease every year and around onethird of the world's population are believed to be infected. That's more than two billion people. Throw in the compounding problems of drug resistance, the HIV epidemic, and poverty, and it's clear that tuberculosis remains one of the most serious problems in world medicine.Catching Breath follows the history of TB through the ages, from its time as an infection of huntergatherers to the first human villages, which set it up with everything it needed to become the monstrous disease it is today, through to the perils of industrialization and urbanization. It goes on to look at the latest research in fighting the disease, with stories of modern scientific research, interviews with doctors on the TB frontline, and the personal experiences of those affected by the disease.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main topic of 'Catching Breath: The Making and Unmaking of Tuberculosis'? A: 'Catching Breath' explores the history, impact, and modern challenges of tuberculosis (TB), detailing how it has evolved alongside humanity and remains a significant global health issue.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The book is authored by Kathryn Lougheed.
- Q: When was 'Catching Breath' published? A: 'Catching Breath' was published on September 5, 2017.
- Q: How many pages does this book have? A: The book contains 272 pages.
- Q: What is the binding type of 'Catching Breath'? A: 'Catching Breath' is bound in hardcover.
- Q: What can readers expect to learn from this book? A: Readers can expect to learn about the historical context of tuberculosis, its impact on society, current research efforts, and personal stories from those affected by the disease.
- Q: Is 'Catching Breath' suitable for general readers or only for medical professionals? A: 'Catching Breath' is written for a general audience, making it accessible to both lay readers and those with a medical background.
- Q: What category does this book fall under? A: 'Catching Breath' is categorized under Lung & Respiratory Diseases.
- Q: Does the book discuss antibiotic resistance in tuberculosis? A: Yes, the book addresses the issue of antibiotic resistance in tuberculosis and its implications for public health.
- Q: Is this book considered a new item? A: Yes, 'Catching Breath' is listed as a new item.