Exclusive online articles
This is the era of emerging and re-emerging infections: HIV, ever-deadlier forms of TB, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, SARS and avian flu. How will we deal with these new infections? How should we balance personal freedoms and public health? Explore the library of exclusive online articles below - produced to complement the print issue of 'Big Picture on Epidemics' - to find out.
The nature of the threat
For many kinds of organism, the human body is a perfect environment in which to live. We have learned to cope with the presence of some; others are harmful or deadly.
Weighing up the risks
How should individuals and governments respond to the possibility of new outbreaks?
Pass it on
Despite recent news coverage, chances are that a human epidemic will be brought in by an infected human rather than a bird. Transmission is crucial to the spread of infectious disease. And stopping the genie escaping from the bottle in the first place is key to the prevention of pandemics.
Industrial relations
Love them or loathe them, pharmaceutical companies have an important role to play in disease control.
The personal and the public
Should people have to take more responsibility for ensuring they do not pass on illnesses? And how far should the state go in limiting individual freedoms to protect public health?
Who gets the medicine?
If there is not enough medicine to go round, who should be first in line – and who should decide?
Epidemic history
Pathogens have shaped human history profoundly, and their impact can still be seen in our genetic make-up. What we learn from past pandemics may well help us to prepare for or even prevent the pandemics of the future.
Flesh-eating zombies, alien killers and grey goo
New diseases have inspired numerous works of fiction.
The end of civilisation
A handful of Europeans conquered the Americas. Their most devastating weapon was one they did not even know existed.