The Germ Code: How to Stop Worrying and Learn to Love the Microbes

THE WAR ON GERMS CAN NEVER BE WON

Our plan should be to choose our battles carefully and co-exist as best we can.

Wise, witty and authoritative, The Germ Code chronicles the enormous influence of our tiny enemies on human history. Microbiologist Jason Tetro relates how pandemics such as the plague, HIV and “swine flu” came about, how others have been averted and how more may occur if we aren’t careful. He explains too that not every germ is a plague waiting to happen, and offers advice on harnessing the power of the good ones to keep us healthy and make our planet a better place.

JASON TETRO has studied germs for over 30 years. He was a microbiologist at the University of Ottawa and a consultant to businesses and non-profit organizations working to improve health. He blogs as the “Germ Guy” and has contributed to the CBC, CTV, Toronto Star, Scientific American, and The Huffington Post, among others. He campaigns for a healthy attitude to germs through public speaking and social media, and his hashtag #handhygiene has been adopted by the World Health Organization.