Sadly, Columns also brings me news of the passing of many of my generation. Dr. Lehmann's presence was greatly appreciated during this trying experience. Another article which gave me a start was The Best of 1996 . Today's infectious disease agents have probably been with us as long as people have existed. They evolve in response to their environments, not just antibiotics, but other animals, climate, plants, and human exposures including resistance of possible victims.
Influenza is neither new nor emerging.
The virus continuously changes a bit. Antibiotic resistance is a problem, but we are developing new antibiotics and also vaccines and other methods for dealing with the resistance problem. The concern with resistance development is certainly valid. Headlines have a way of overstating the problem, however. Proper food handling is too often overlooked.