MODERN MENACE

The success of antibiotics after World War II led to the impression that bacterial infections could be easily cured. "Infectious Diseases are more easily prevented and more easily cured than any other major group of disorders..." stated Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 10th ed., 1983. Although many viral diseases remained unconquered, effective vaccines prevented some of the most frightening ones. Much of the industrialized world basked in a feeling of invulnerability, assuming that heart disease and cancer were the major health problems left to conquer.

Today we view infectious disease with greater respect. The victories of the past are seen in perspective with the emergence of HIV/AIDS and at least 30 other new infections. Old foes such as tuberculosis, rabies, malaria, and pneumonia are evading traditional therapies and are now on the comeback. Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death in the world and the third leading cause of death in the United States. What is happening to make it easier for these deadly microbes to infect us? Below are just two examples found in the exhibit.

Urbanization . . .

Population Density is increasing in countries that are not able to provide adequate sewage systems, safe drinking water, housing and medical facilities. People are living in overcrowded "megacities" of ten million or more, many of which are in tropical or subtropical regions where infectious diseases thrive. In the 1800s, only London and New York City approached that size. It is estimated that by 2010, 50% of the world's population will be living in urban areas.

Lifestyle Changes . . .

Today's drug abuse carries a heavy health toll. Sharing needles for drug injection is a well-known route of HIV transmission as well as many blood-borne infections. Injection drug use contributes to the spread of infectious diseases far beyond the circle of those who inject. Since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began, injection drug use has directly and indirectly accounted for more than one-third (36%) of AIDS cases in the United States. This disturbing trend appears to be continuing.