Influenza

With objectivity and depth, the Compact Research: Diseases and Disorders series brings together various types of mental and physical illnesses. Each book includes a general overview followed by a focus on statistics, causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention. Influenza discusses the virus that causes the disease; prevention through proper hygiene as well as vaccination, especially during epidemics; and warns against public apathy. With a focus on youth, Mood Disorders discusses the two main categories: unipolar (if untreated, the number one risk for suicide) and bipolar (which swings between depression and mania). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder shows that the irrational fears of OCD affect males and females across race and class. Self-Injury Disorder states that the main cause of self-inflicted injury is to gain relief from unbearable emotional pain, and it also covers methods of treatment and prevention. The readable page design features pull quotes and subtitles, with occasional photos throughout. At the end of each chapter, several pages of primary source quotes from diverse viewpoints are featured, along with a detailed summary of helpful facts illustrated with color charts and graphs. Back matter includes information on key people, advocacy groups, and related organizations, as well as source notes and references. Great for group discussion, readers will appreciate that there are no easy solutions for these conditions and illnesses, but there is hope. —Hazel Rochman