This textbook aims to describe in a condensed form the essentials of
molecular immunology behind bacterial infections, the microbiome, viral
infections (such as influenza and COVID-19), organ transplantations,
autoimmunity, allergy and tumor immunology. The book emphasizes the
impact of immunology in maintaining our health and preventing disease.
Our immune system protects us not only from severe consequences of
infectious diseases and getting cancer, but is also able to harm us
severely via sepsis, cytokine storms and anaphylactic shocks. Molecular
understanding of immunology should allow the reader a more rational
handling of common diseases, most of which are associated with chronic
inflammation.