Infectious diseases

Abstract This chapter provides a guide to common and important infections disease. It starts with descriptions of the nature and structure of common microbes (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, helminths). Common infections that are not covered elsewhere in system specific chapters are covered here. This includes important global infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus, tuberculosis and malaria. New infections are also given attention with descriptions of the pathology of Covid-19 infection.