News & Events

A conversation with Michael Silverman, MD, PhD, attending physician with the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

In North America, some of the earliest examples of the interplay of infectious disease and warfare include the use of smallpox and other diseases to push Native Americans out of areas deemed desirable by the settlers. During the American Revolution, it was suspected that the British used smallpox as a biological weapon, causing cases of the disease to cripple the Continental Army. Countless examples of the impact of infectious diseases on military conflicts can be found throughout history.

Science is a process used to develop knowledge about the world. Over time, consensus develops around a scientific topic, such as a medical recommendation. However, science is ever evolving, incorporating new observations and questions. One example of this evolution of knowledge is the approach to preventing peanut allergies in children. 

The mercurial nature of influenza has made this virus a formidable foe throughout the centuries. With its talent for mutation, close monitoring of influenza is critical to contain outbreaks of new strains. Over the past year, avian influenza, or “bird flu,” has been in the news. Let’s take a closer look at the history of avian influenza, the current status of H5N1 virus and what this may mean for the future.

Vaccines, and the campaigns to deliver them, have done tremendous work to uplift global health and prevent the spread of disease. One example is the campaign against polio.