Synopsis
You play, you pay. Whether you enjoy holidays in the wild or a quiet life at home surrounded by pets, you are likely to encounter agents of infectious disease. In this third edition contributors update the bad news about freshwater, whether in a lake or a hot tub, the hazards of camp, shore garden, high altitude and sport, the perils of fulfilling fantasies (sexual and otherwise) on foreign soil, and the pitfalls of exotic and trendy cuisine. They include several chapters on our finned, furred and feathered friends and enemies, including the latest on rabies and the ongoing battle with feral rats. They describe the prevalence of these diseases, their prevention and treatment, and include resources for the professional and informed amateur. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Robert Gene Penn, MD(Nebraska Methodist Hospital)
Description:This scholarly, multiauthored book describes infectious diseases that can be contracted while pursuing such activities as swimming at the beach, venturing into wilderness environments, pampering our (sometimes unusual) pets, toiling in the garden, or eating trendy cuisine. This is a thoroughly updated edition.
Purpose:The book identifies and organizes the infectious risks associated with our leisure time activities. Although these activities are enjoyable, they expose us to a growing list of pathogenic microbes, some new and many increasingly resistant to current therapies. These infectious risks are outlined and discussed in a convenient, user-friendly, and accessible format.
Audience:This is a useful book for general practitioners caring for patients who travel to adventuresome settings, keep exotic pets, pierce strange parts of their body ("body modification"), or eat trendy cuisine. It should also attract infectious diseases subspecialists who desire an organization of infectious diseases associated with specific recreational activities.
Features:Designed for ease of use, each chapter focuses on the infection risks associated with a particular type of recreational activity. Multiple zoonoses associated with common and less common pets (e.g. hedgehogs) are reviewed and practical guidelines provided. Three new chapters are designed to help manage the risk of infection associated with air travel, petting zoos, and cruise ships. New to this edition are the practical tips at the end of each chapter that underscore the most critical steps needed to prevent and manage the infectious diseases discussed in the chapter.
Assessment:This is a practical resource for a diverse group of infection risks associated with where and how our patients spend their leisure time. The book compiles information on leisure-associated infections into one, unique, user-friendly book. It is indexed to provide quick reference to material both by infectious agent and leisure activity. The new practical tips at the end of each chapter highlight salient points of prevention and management of infections of leisure.