Epidemiology

Author: edited by Chen Chongwen / Wang Qinquan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-11-01
Features: Infectious diseases are common in developing countries. Due to their "transmissibility" and "epidemic potential," they have high morbidity and mortality rates, posing significant harm. They have always been a focus of prevention and control in countries worldwide. Under the guidance of the health work principle of "prevention first, prevention and treatment combined," China has achieved remarkable progress in the prevention and control of infectious diseases, with significant reductions in both morbidity and mortality rates. Some severe infectious diseases, such as smallpox and poliomyelitis, have been eradicated, while the incidence rates of diseases like measles, diphtheria, malaria, and schistosomiasis have notably decreased. However, while acknowledging these achievements, we must also recognize existing challenges: some infectious diseases, such as influenza, viral hepatitis, and infectious diarrhea, remain uncontrolled; others, like tuberculosis, show a trend of resurgence, with incidence rates rising again. Moreover, in recent years, newly discovered infectious diseases, according to WHO statistics, number around 30, including AIDS, Lyme disease, and Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Among these, AIDS has become a globally prevalent disease with continuously rising cases and extremely high mortality rates. Currently, there are still no effective prevention and control methods, making it a "plague of the 20th century." It has drawn great attention from countries and people worldwide and is listed as a key disease for prevention and control. Therefore, the prevention and control of infectious diseases have become an extremely important public health issue for every country in the world. At the same time, infectious diseases are an indispensable component of medicine and a vital discipline. Therefore, compiling a high-quality textbook on "Infectious Diseases" holds significant importance for advancing the discipline, promoting the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, and cultivating high-caliber professionals in this field. This is also the purpose of compiling this book. The compilation of this book follows the principles of "scientific rigor, advanced knowledge, inspiration, and practicality." Based on these principles and the teaching (syllabus) and lecture hours requirements of the Ministry of Health, we have strived to include common infectious diseases across the country as the content of this book, though some pediatric infectious diseases, such as measles, rubella, scarlet fever, and mumps, are excluded. The content is designed to be rich, systematic, and accurate, reflecting research findings and advancements in infectious diseases both domestically and internationally, as well as the authors' experience and insights. To embody the teaching philosophy of "theory combined with practice" and "inspiration," this book includes "typical case analyses" in its content. To help students familiarize themselves with and master professional English terminology, all disease names, drug names, and important symptoms, signs, and diagnostic methods are presented in both Chinese and English upon first occurrence, while subsequent references use only English terms, adopting a "bilingual" format. In addition to the textbook, we have also provided (teaching CDs). The content of the CDs includes color-coded teaching charts of infectious disease pathogens, signs, and pathological features, as well as bilingual professional medical terminology and answers to typical case questions from the textbook. The compilation of these teaching materials represents some new attempts in both content and form. We hope to achieve positive teaching outcomes. Whether or not we succeed in this endeavor, we welcome valuable feedback from fellow educators and students in the field of infectious disease teaching.