Get an in-depth view of the viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites that surround us, the deadly diseases they can cause, and the scientific challenges involved in targeting them. First, investigate the extremely rapid reproduction and mutation rates of microorganisms, which can go through thousands or even more than a million generations for every human generation. This constant evolution challenges our main defenses against infectious diseases and makes it difficult to develop effective vaccines and treatments. Through an interactive display, estimate how much bacteria can reproduce in ideal conditions at two, four, eight, and 24 hours.

Next, see just how prevalent microbes and parasites are in our bodies and our environment. Can You Find What Causes Infectious Disease? explores the wide range of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites that make their homes in our bodies. From the helpful bacteria that colonize our guts to the dangerous organisms that trigger acute and chronic disease, this exhibit introduces visitors to the unseen passengers that inhabit us all.

Now take the Global View of infectious diseases. Interactive kiosks explore the distribution of major infectious disease, such as tuberculosis, HIV, malaria and cholera, throughout the world. Examine which countries are hardest hit by diseases, the distribution of which can be correlated with factors such as population growth and poverty. Tracing Emerging Diseases features current stories of emerging diseases and disease outbreaks. See how factors such as global travel and land-use changes can spread disease worldwide.

More than one billion people worldwide still lack access to clean water and basic sanitation. Protecting Health graphs how improvements in basic infrastructure, such as clean water, good sanitation practices, and nutrition, have dramatically improved public health in the United States, along with the widespread use of vaccines and the introduction of antibiotics.

Since their introduction in the 1770s, vaccines have led to dramatic improvements in public health. Explore how vaccines give people immunity to specific infectious diseases, and how drops in vaccination rates can lead to disease outbreaks. At Can We Predict How an Epidemic Will Spread?, use a computer model to try your hand at predicting the course of measles or influenza outbreaks based on different vaccination rates. Learn how vaccines eradicated smallpox, a deadly disease that killed approximately 300 million people in the 20th century alone.

Antibiotics are also powerful tools for fighting infectious diseases. Cures From Microscopic Competition demonstrates that microscopic organisms struggle to survive in complex ecosystems, secreting chemicals that disable or kill competing bacterial species. Most antibiotics are derived from natural sources. But bacteria can eventually become resistant to these medications. Discover how drug-resistant bacteria are emerging and how misusing antibiotics can accelerate this process. See first-hand the difficult and challenging process of developing and testing antibiotics.

The Changing Impact of HIV explores how HIV attacks the immune system and how antiretroviral drugs fight the deadly virus. View videos on antiretroviral drugs and controlling this pandemic, which has evolved into one of the biggest global health crises, especially in the poorest regions of the world.

Diseases spread through insects and parasites remain a major burden in the world. Take an in-depth look at malaria, still a major killer in some tropical regions of the world, especially sub-Saharan Africa. See how malaria parasites infect humans and mosquitoes; learn how fighting the disease requires a focus on the parasite as well as controlling mosquitoes. An interactive exhibit allows visitors to explore the effectiveness of various malaria infection control measures, such as bed nets to protect against bites, indoor spraying, and antimalarial drugs.

Infectious Disease: Evolving Challenges to Human Health
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