Human Microbiology attempts to distil the key principles of medical microbiology for undergraduate students of biomedical science and biology. The condensation of all things infectious into 250 pages will also be useful for students of human and veterinary medicine as well as other professions allied to medicine. The book seeks to provide a basis for understanding the biology of micro-organisms that interact with humans but does not seek to go through long (and increasing) lists of organisms and diseases as found in many huge, exhaustive textbooks of microbiology. As wonderful as they are, they are for the converted and are not entirely appropriate for modular degree programmes. Hence, bacterial genetics and biochemistry have simply been outlined and more suitable modular texts should be investigated. The book is divided into two sections. The first describes the basic physiology of the three important groups of micro-organisms – bacteria, viruses and fungi – and the second section examines the underlying themes that describe their interactions with humans. Microbiology is more than a description of microorganisms, and chapters on microbial taxonomy and methods of controlling microbes have been included. Far from the image of a tired, outdated discipline, there is renewed interest in taxonomy. As a product of the newer methods in analysing gene sequences the old views on the origins of all living things (no less!) have been turned on their head. The chapter on microbial control measures looks at how microbial diseases have been dealt with and, although earthquakes have not been covered specifically, design strategies to control microbial infection are considered.