Many infectious diseases that killed by the millions were greatly reduced in the 20th century, with one notable achievement being the eradication of smallpox, and considerable progress being made toward the eradication of polio and Guinea Worm Disease.
Other diseases, such as diphtheria, typhoid fever, tuberculosis and whooping cough were greatly reduced throughout the world due to childhood immunization programs, improved sanitation, and the use of antibiotics. Malaria, even though easily treatable, is still a major killer in poor countries.
In the United States the death rate from pneumonia and influenza fell 93% in the 20th century; bronchitis was once responsible for 3% of deaths in America - that figure has fallen to nearly 0.1%.
Two major pandemics occurred in the 20th century: an outbreak of a severe strain of influenza (the Spanish Flu) which killed some 25 million or more people in 1918-1919, and the appearance of AIDS in the 1980s on. AIDS is transmitted by a virus, and viral diseases can usually only be overcome by vaccination. An effective AIDS vaccine has eluded researchers so far. Anti-viral drugs have been developed, but they are too expensive for most people suffering from AIDS in highly affected areas, such as India and sub-saharan Africa.
In addition to these major pandemics, there have been several minor pandemics resulting from different strains of the influenza virus: the Asian Flu of 1957 and the Hong Kong Flu of 1968 being the most notable.
Currently, there is concern about the appearance of antibiotic-resistant strains of infectious organisms. It is believed that the overuse of antibiotics, including their use in animal husbandry, contributes to this development.
Famous quotes containing the words infectious, disease and/or century:
“Paganism is infectious—more infectious than diphtheria or piety....”
—E.M. (Edward Morgan)
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
—Constitution of the World Health Organization.
“In this century the writer has carried on a conversation with madness. We might almost say of the twentieth-century writer that he aspires to madness. Some have made it, of course, and they hold special places in our regard. To a writer, madness is a final distillation of self, a final editing down. It’s the drowning out of false voices.”
—Don Delillo (b. 1926)