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This course, “Viruses & Germs” is designed to help clinicians update their knowledge of basic immune system function and recognize serious neurologic and psychological complications of severe infections. Health professionals are in an excellent situation to help educate patients, stem the hysteria, and save lives. Those working with adolescents, adults, and elderly patients will undoubtedly gain insights into the myriad ways infections can and do affect behavior. Some topics of particular interest to clinicians include 1) How psychological stress can impact immune system function, 2) How sleep deprivation contributes to lowered resistance to infection, 3) Why positive emotional states can enhance resistance to infection and even facilitate recovery, 4) How influenza epidemics develop and ways to protect staff and patients in office and hospital settings, 5) An update on recommended vaccines; the link between vaccines and autism, and 6) Cognitive loss, weakness, fatigue, motor deficits, and pain in the chronic phase of Lyme disease and West Nile infection.