Book excerpt: Now in its thoroughly revised, updated Fifth Edition, this handbook is a practical, easily accessible, and authoritative guide to the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. Leading experts present realistic clinical approaches to infectious disease problems seen in hospital and outpatient settings and offer up-to-the-minute advice on antimicrobial use--including specific recommendations on dosages, routes of administration, and duration of therapy. Chapters are written in a user-friendly outline format that is ideal for quick reference.This edition includes complete information on new diseases, new antibiotics, and HIV antiviral agents.