Fighting Polio

by Mary Colson

Overview

Poliomyelitis, better known as polio, is a crippling virus that can lead to paralysis or even death. A childhood vaccination program had diminished the incidence of polio worldwide to the point that scientists thought they had beaten it. They were wrong. Polio appears to be on the rise again. Disturbingly, some of the newly infected can spread the disease while not exhibiting the usual symptoms. How the virus spreads, the effect of vaccinations, the historical figures who battled the disease, and the future outlook for eradication are some of the varied topics of this captivating look at a terrible disease.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781482414356
Publisher:	Gareth Stevens Library
Publication date:	08/01/2014
Series:	Tiny Battlefields
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	11 - 13 Years

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Waging War 4

Chapter 2 A Global Battle 12

Chapter 3 The Poverty Trap 20

Chapter 4 Scientific Weapons 26

Chapter 5 Raising Awareness About Polio 34

Chapter 6 Future Diagnosis 40

Glossary 46

For More Information 46

Index 48

Editorial Reviews

11/01/2014
Gr 6–9—Some of public medicine's greatest triumphs as well as ongoing struggles are highlighted in these examinations of modern plagues. Historical backgrounds are sketched in, but along with describing each malady's causes and effects, the authors focus chiefly on current incidence, treatments, public awareness campaigns, and research toward cures. Except for several stomach-churning photos of victims in Fighting Smallpox, the illustrations are largely generic, less-than-informative depictions of lab scientists sporting white coats, Third World residents, and melodramatic graphic representations of viruses. Aside from Fighting Cancer—which contains alarmist generalizations about cell phone radiation, a sweeping claim that "men under the age of 30 are particularly at risk from testicular cancer," and an observation that breast removal, à la Angelina Jolie, is an effective preventive measure—these titles nonetheless make serviceable complements and updates for the equivalent titles in Rosen's 2010 series "Epidemics and Society."

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