`General practitioners are in the front line where viral diseases are concerned, and they may sometimes need support in what is a rapidly developing field. The twenty-first century has seen a revolution in the speed and range of laboratory diagnosis as well as a new phase in viral immunisation and antiviral treatment. Advances in clinical medicine have led to new susceptibilities to viruses, and pandemic viral diseases as well as expanding travel to the developing world, have led to viral exposures that were rarely encountered in the past. This useful book is based on case vignettes that describe situations often seen in general practice. It is based on plentiful references to the current literature and brings the latest knowledge on laboratory diagnostics, infection control/public health measures and antiviral treatments to the attention of general practitioners and trainees in medical microbiology and public health medicine. It can also serve as a primer for postgraduate examinations in medicine. It can be read with interest and referred to with benefit.' Prepublication review by Dr Philip Mortimer MD (London) Written by Dr Brendan Crowley MSc MD DTM FRCPath FFPath(RCPI) Edited by Professor Anna Maria Geretti MD PhD FRCPath