Snot, Sneezes, and Super-Spreaders: Everything You Need to Know About Viruses and How to Stop Them

Marc ter Horst makes a serious subject more palatable with his humour-infused, conversational writing style in Snot, Sneezes, and Super-Spreaders. At its most basic level, this science-based educational book explains what a virus is, how it spreads and how people become sick once they are infected. But there is far more, in-depth information here. The author provides a history of several viruses, some examples of which are the 1918 flu, cholera and Ebola, offers accounts of people who unwittingly started or contracted diseases such as SARS and HIV/AIDS, and explains the role of the World Health Organization.

However, most readers will likely want to learn more about COVID-19 which brought the world to a standstill in 2020 and continues to mutate. There is plenty of information about COVID’s initial spread, the development of its many variants, and the impact it had all around the globe. The author dispels some myths about the virus and discusses the role that anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists and fake news played in its spread. He also provides information about the steps in the development of vaccines. Though Marc ter Horst is careful not to cast blame on any particular person for initiating the spread of COVID, he expresses concern for the inhumane treatment of animals in live animal markets in some parts of the world. One interesting anecdote is that, since 2015, the WHO has had rules for naming viruses in order to prevent people, places or animals from being vilified. An example of this is H1N1. Previously called the “Mexican flu”, H1N1 was renamed the “swine flu” to appease the Mexican people. However, pig farmers were upset because they feared that humans would stop buying pork, thus affecting the farmers’ livelihoods.

With its six chapters, chock full of information (some of which is easier to understand than others), Snot, Sneezes, and Super-Spreaders is thorough and well-researched. Though some readers might be deterred by the vast amount of text (and tiny text it is), Snot, Sneezes, and Super-Spreaders does a very admirable job of explaining how viruses behave and what humans can do to protect themselves. The illustrations consist of colourful, quirky, cartoonlike drawings which not only suit the text but also help readers to grasp more complex concepts. A table of contents and an index are included.