Infectious disease in the 20th century
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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]] (polio eradication being expected to be completed within the first decade of the [[21st century]]) and [[Dracunculiasis|Guinea Worm Disease]].
Other diseases, such as [[diphtheria]], [[typhoid|typhoid fever]], [[tuberculosis]] and [[whooping cough]] were greatly reduced throughout the world due to childhood [[immunization]] programs, improved [[sanitation]], and the use of [[antibiotic]]s.
[[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 [[pandemic]]s 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 resistance|antibiotic-resistant strains of infectious organisms]]. It is believed that the overuse of antibiotics, including their use in [[Animal husbandry]], contributes to this development.
==References==
{{Unreferenced|date=February 2007}}
[[Category:Infectious diseases]]
[[Category:20th century]]