Infection

A large proportion of patients seen by General Practitioners are suffering from infections. Although the majority are minor, and self-limiting, they provide an important opportunity for improving the doctor's own understanding of the patient's response to illness, while also educating the patient in infection prevention. Infectious diseases are also a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the modern developed world, and with more people travelling internationally than ever before, there is an increased risk of the spread of serious diseases. An important part of the primary health care team's work is directed towards the prevention of infection either through health education, or immunization. Infection in general practice provides a unique insight into the role of infection in General Practice, seen from the combined perspectives of General Practitioners, an Infectious Disease Physician, and a Medical Microbiologist. It provides detailed information on the wide variety of infections seen by GPs, ranging from the common cold, through to meningitis, Legionnaire's disease, and AIDS. Included are case histories which reflect common practice both in primary care, and within the hospital setting, and guidelines for the management of infections. Throughout the book, the authors emphasize the role of teamwork as well as prevention in contemporary primary care, through both better patient education, and immunization.