"Viruses, Pandemic, and Immunity" (Arup K. Chakraborty and Andrey S. Shaw)

TITLE: Viruses, Pandemics, and Immunity
AUTHOR: Arup K. Chakraborty and Andrey S. Shaw
PUBLISHER: Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2020, (224 pages).

If the year 2020 was known as the year of the pandemic, the year 2021 would be known as the year of the vaccines. For the past couple of months, most of us in society cannot avoid the topic of viruses, pandemics, vaccines, quarantines, etc. With social media so freely available, information and misinformation could spread like wildfire. Once out there, it is impossible to retract or remove it from circulation. Even medical professionals often differ in their interpretations of the best approaches to take.  Since the declaration of Covid-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, large parts of the world have shut down global travel and implemented widespread restrictions on people movement. There is a need for more reliable and scientifically tested information. In fact, the best way to address fears and avoid pandemonium behaviour is to share reliable and trustworthy information as quickly as possible. This book is a contribution toward this cause. The authors are not only medical professionals but also on the teaching faculty of renowned schools like the MIT and the University of California, San Francisco. They begin this book by reminding us that pandemics are nothing new. There were serious influenza-related breakouts back in 1918 (Spanish Flu), 1957 (Asian Flu), 1968 (HK Flu), and 2009 (H5N1). The history lessons include the two eras: Pre-Vaccine and Vaccine eras. Before the discovery of vaccines as a defense tool against viruses, people resorted to all kinds of non-scientific speculations about the causes of the diseases. Even the name "influenza" was derived from the popular idea that illnesses were caused by the Italian word for "influence of the stars." Gradually, the thinking shifts from helpless acceptance toward observations of why people recovering from illness were not infected by smallpox. This led to theories such as the "expulsion theory" and "acquired immunity." With the discovery of cowpox as protection against smallpox, the stage was set for more research on "vaccinia," the Latin name for cowpox. Thanks to the work of Edward Jenner (1749-1823), the threat of smallpox was addressed in a large scale. We learn also from history that vaccinations were controversial then, not just today. Readers will slowly join the dots of healthcare and medical advancement to give credit to van Leeuwenhook's microscope, Robert Koch's postulates, Louis Pasteur's research on the anthrax vaccine, and how our present work derives much from Pasteur. The modern challenges include the search for a solution against coronaviruses and contagious diseases. Readers learn about the way viruses work; the way human cells replicate; the differentiation of the body cell into DNA, RNA, and Proteins; and how cells reproduce. They then describe the manner viruses enter our cells to make us sick. Knowing the genome and viral DNA/RNA aids in finding ways to battle them. They explain the reasons for the pandemic in a post-agrarian culture. 

The authors then helped readers to understand our immune systems, and what we can do to strengthen them. Gradually, they describe the spread and mitigation of pandemics, various therapies available, and how vaccines work. They adopt a familiar framework that begins with the history, the present situations, and the future shape of the subject concerned. 

My Thoughts

Firstly, it is a relevant topic, especially during this pandemic. There are many worried people out there. From the fear of contracting Covid-19 to the fear of vaccine side effects, people are vulnerable to both facts and fallacies. Fear often pushes one to adopt the latter. The golden rule in care is essentially about improving our comprehension of the facts surrounding a very important topic for this age. The same applies to healthcare. The more we understand, the lesser the chance of any misdiagnosis or misinterpretation. Understanding the facts of the matter helps prevent gullible acceptance of unproven theories and misinformation. In our age of Google and social media, it is increasingly more difficult to distinguish the fact from falsehood. Every person potentially becomes an expert commentator on the basis of a few sensational articles or convincing videos on their Internet devices. Without adequate knowledge and specialized training, novices might commit the danger of shallow smart-alecks who spout out superficial answers without understanding the root causes or associated consequences. This is where books like this come in. It educates the public or interested reader with the basic facts and reasons behind the professional work done in medical sciences and healthcare. 

Secondly, it is hoped that readers will give our healthcare professionals applause and encouragement. Reading this book should not puff anyone up but to help us develop a greater appreciation for the professionals dealing with the difficult tasks of DNA research, virus studies, antiviral therapies, vaccine production, etc. Much of the material could be overly technical for those of us without a basic understanding of science and technical jargon. Thankfully, the illustrations help us to better visualize the concepts. I appreciate the way the authors honour the past achievements that helped us get to where we are today. Every subject, from the discovery of viruses to the development of vaccines, the history of the pandemics and the lessons learned, we owe our current progress to the hard work of our predecessors. Gratitude is a powerful way to encourage all researchers, that their work is not in vain. This is not limited to those whose ideas succeed, we should also be thankful to those who showed us which paths we ought NOT to take. 

Finally, we should never take drop our guard in our fight against infectious diseases. Pandemics are nothing new, and we ought to be wiser after experiencing the 1918 Spanish Flu or the 2003 SARS outbreak. Basic hygiene and care must be adopted globally. We can all do our part in fighting the pandemic together. As long we are all on the same page, we will be better able and equipped to build our defenses and cultivate herd immunity protection for all. This begins with relevant facts and appropriate sharing of information to all. Don't just rely on Google searches or social media for our sources. Go for reliable and reputable sources like this book.

Arup K. Chakraborty is Robert T. Haslam Professor of Chemical Engineering and Professor of Physics and Chemistry at MIT, where he also served as the Founding Director of the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science. He is a founding member of the Ragon Institute. 

Andrey S. Shaw, an immunologist, is Staff Scientist in Immunology and Oncology at Genentech and holds adjunct professorships at Washington University in St. Louis and at the University of California, San Francisco. Illustrator Philip J. S. Stork is a Professor at the Vollum Institute at Oregon Health and Science University.  

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of MIT Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.