Book excerpt: The three greatest killers in human history have not been war, famine or natural disaster. They have been influenza, Black Death and AIDS. In the face of Avian Flu,The Little Book of Pandemics asks, how anxious should you be? Should you be keeping an eye out for tell-tale discharge? Should you flinch at every cough and itch? Is that headache really just a headache? And what will happen if you do succumb? In May 2005, scientists urgently called nations to prepare for a global influenza pandemic that may hit up to 20 percent of the world`s population. But just how worried should we be and how far has medical science evolved to contain all the threats that surround us? From rashes, tremors, nausea, fever, dizziness, swelling, fainting, bleeding, spasms, blindness, shock, coma and death, here is a fascinating insight into 50 of the most virulent and vicious plagues, pandemics and infectious diseases currently known to medical science. From outbreak and symptoms to chance-of-survival percentages, everything you need to avoid is here.