Includes index.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Viruses are the ultimate parasites: they infect cells and hijack their molecular machinery in order to survive, often destroying the host cell in the process. In so doing, they present a major challenge to human health and well-being, with the continual emergence of new viral strains placing huge demands on healthcare systems internationally. This book is an introduction to the subject for anyone who needs to understand how viruses impact on human health, and how they can be managed in a clinical context. It does not seek to turn its readers into virologists, but to provide them with enough knowledge of the nature of viruses and viral infections to serve as an essential foundation for anyone encountering viruses in a clinical or biomedical context. Reflecting our latest understanding of the molecular basis of viral diseases, the 4th edition is for all students of medicine, dentistry, and the biological and biomedical sciences, who need a clear and focused introduction to the subject.

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