Viruses: A Very Short Introduction

bVery Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring /b

Viruses are everywhere, and as the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, cannot be ignored. From their discovery to the unravelling of their intricate structures, this Very Short Introduction provides a rounded and concise account of the nature of viruses, how they attack their hosts, and the efforts to control them.

In this new edition, Dorothy H. Crawford examines the recent rise in emerging virus infections, especially coronaviruses, including the viruses behind SARS and MERS, and SARS CoV-2 responsible for COVID-19. Crawford explores why the SARS-CoV-2 was able to spread rapidly to form a pandemic while others have produced more localized epidemics, as well as looking at the revolution in vaccine production that this has caused. Looking to the future, this Very Short Introduction considers the preventative measures and management of future dangerous viruses that are expected to emerge.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Dorothy Crawford, Emeritus professor of medical microbiology, University of Edinburgh

Dorothy H Crawford is Emeritus Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Edinburgh. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and of the Academy of Medical Sciences. She was awarded an OBE for services to medicine and higher education in 2005. Dorothy is the author of The
Invisible Enemy (OUP, 2000); Deadly Companions (OUP, 2007); Virus Hunt (OUP, 2013); and Ebola (OUP, 2016).