For most of human history, infection, even modest infection, killed people with the terrifying regularity of an open wound, the ingestion of undercooked meat, the casual exhale of flu inhaled by another, pneumonia passed from hand to hand and wiped on the nose. Then over the centuries, scientists took baby steps toward understanding these infections and dipped a toe into how our bodies fought back. These scientists came from all over the world, which is worth noting because it shows the powerful, essential value to our survival of cooperation across national boundaries and cultures.
