Hot Zone Professions Handbook
In The Hot Zone, by Richard Preston, there are many examples of occupations that are very apparent throughout the story and serve a very specific purpose. In this guide to the various positions outlined in the book, the reader will be able to delve into an in-depth analysis of the daily lives of real people in these professions. Contents: Pathologist, Virologist, Veterinarian, Epidemiologist, and Microscopist.
1) Pathologist - Pathology is the general term for the study of disease, including the diagnoses and prognoses that may be associated. In a clinical setting, pathology involves the analysis of a sample of a bodily fluid or tissue, such as blood, urine, and a segment of muscle tissue. These samples are typically observed using microbiological tools, like an electron microscope. Pathologists use the equipment in their labs or offices to identify a pathogen, or potentially harmful disease, in order to treat a patient or develop a drug, depending on the setting. On any given day, pathologists may perform autopsies and biopsies, study microorganisms under a microscope, and analyze a substance's composition in a lab. Pathologists are required to have an M.D. through completing 4 years of undergraduate, 4 years of medical school, and and least 3 years of residency. In The Hot Zone, character Nancy Jaax is a veterinary pathologist, which is an extremely important profession in the fact that most Level 4 pathogens originate in an organism other than a human. Outside of the setting of the book, pathologists commonly work in a clinical setting, somewhere like a hospital, clinic, or research facility. In a hospital, they function similarly to regular physicians because they typically diagnose a patient according to external characteristics, symptoms, or by analyzing a sample from them.
2) Virologist - Virology is the general study of viruses, which make up a large portion of the infectious pathogenic microorganisms that make humans and animals sick. In a way, virology is a branch of microbiology in the fact that it deals with analyzing microorganisms and uses common equipment like electron microscopes. Virologists often use very specialized molecular techniques and antibody detecting equipment that aid in the identification of viruses and progression of vaccines or drugs against harmful ones. For many virologists, the main goal of their profession is to try to eliminate dangerous pathogens that could potentially ravage the population. This often involves working in a specially equipped lab for studying the microscopic viruses, diagnosis if necessary, and developing preventative measures. On a day to day basis, virologists use microscopes to study and identify the virus, diagnose patients that may have a viral disease, develop vaccines to prevent further strains, and observe environmental conditions that harbor the viruses. Like pathologist, a virologist is a specialized doctor that must be qualified with 4 years of both undergraduate and medical school and 3 or 4 years in a residency program. In the book, one of the identifiable virologists is Peter Jahrling, who has experience with the deadliest viruses in existence; his job is to identify and research more into the dangerous viruses that he encounters. In real life, virologists can work in hospitals/clinics to diagnose patients with a virus and prescribe drugs to ease symptoms, or they can work in a laboratory to develop vaccines to keep up with evolving viruses.
3) Veterinarian - Veterinary studies involve the inspection, diagnosis, treatment, and attentive medical care of animals, respectively. This job entails much of a human physician, but veterinarians care primarily for animals, vowing to consider the health and safety of both humans and animals during their research. Typically, veterinarians inspect animals that visit their clinics, diagnose the patient through external characteristics or from a sample, if necessary, prescribe drugs for the animal's condition, and take measures to prevent worsening of its condition. Veterinarians can also work in a lab setting to ensure the safety of food-production from animal origin and also to prevent pathogens from being able to transmit their diseases to humans. So, though their jobs are mostly involving animal health, vets are also responsible for maintaining humans' safety from foreign pathogens. Almost daily, veterinarians will use common equipment to test an animal's health, like a stethoscope, thermometer, and scale, will diagnose patients and prescribe medicines, and will treat injuries in animals with sterilized equipment. Occasionally, general veterinary doctors may perform surgery to treat a patient. In order to work in this profession, a student must complete 4 years of undergraduate, 4 years of medical/veterinary school, and 3-4 years of a field-specific residency. In the book, one example of a veterinarian is Dan Dalgard, who works at the very location of the viral outbreak among the monkeys. In his case, he works to treat both the animals and attempt to preserve the safety of the human population. Typically, real veterinarians tend to work in clinics or hospitals to treat general sick and injured animals, and some may have special facilities for a certain group of animals or a certain group of disease or injury to be treated. Those who research animal-borne diseases and food-safety work in government-run environments.
4) Epidemiologist - Epidemiologists generally deal with the how, where, and why of the spread of disease among a population. Usually, this includes pathogenic infectious diseases that could causes a threat to public health. The main goal of epidemiologists is to research the origin and spread of diseases in a population (usually the human population), develop concrete reasoning on why these diseases spread this way, progress on ways to control diseases, and eliminate the most dangerous ones from the public network. Epidemiologists can use forensic science, biological screening, GIS layering data on a map, and statistics to help them uproot the causes and effects of the disease in question. On a daily basis, they use the concepts of biology, to understand the mechanics behind the spread if disease, geography, to map out the physical sprawl of the disease, and statistics, to analyze data and draw conclusions about the disease's pathway. Similarly to other medical professions, epidemiology requires 4 years of undergraduate studies and 4 years of epidemiological fields in graduate school. In The Hot Zone, character Dr. Joseph McCormick is an epidemiologist, working for the C.D.C., who is characterized by his attempted studies of the Ebola virus in Africa. Epidemiologists today work in offices and laboratories to study disease origins and movement, usually specializing in measuring either the spacial spread or biological means of transmission.
5) Microscopist - A microscopist is an advanced researcher, commonly with a doctorate and a vast level of experience in their field. Their field of study involves using microscopic equipment to accurately view a specimen that is unable to be seen by the naked human eye. Indicated by the very name of their field of study, the key tool to every microsopist is the microscope, whether it be the simpler light microscope or the large, pinpointing electron microscope. Generally, microscopy refers to the inspection of any tiny specimen under a microscope, but these types of scientists usually have a goal of making a new, important, or exciting discover in their field. This typically involves searching for something out of place in a slide, something that had gone wrong. On a day to day basis, a microscopist would prepare several slides of the specimen that they will study, keep a storage of many different microorganisms to refer back to, use both a light and electron microscope, and use their strong observation skills to closely inspect the prepared slides. One must obtain 4 years of undergraduate study, 4 years of sciences in graduate school, and usually a P.h.D in the field of microscopy. In the book, Tom Geisbert is a microscopist, though an intern, who is the main discoverer of the virus ravaging through the monkeys. He specializes in using the electron microscope, which is how he discovered the discrepancy between the cells in the infected vial and those of his previous experience. In the real world, all microscopists work in labs or research facilities to learn more about a microorganism or attempt to run into a new discovery.
Informational Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathology
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/life-sciences/virology-healthcare-scientist
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidemiology#The_profession
http://study.com/articles/How_to_Become_a_Microscopist_Education_and_Career_Roadmap.html
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/life-sciences/virology-healthcare-scientist
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidemiology#The_profession
http://study.com/articles/How_to_Become_a_Microscopist_Education_and_Career_Roadmap.html
Photo Credits
http://www.biomnis.ie/OurServices/OccupationalHealthTestingServices/WorkplaceDrugAlcoholTesting/WorkplaceDrugAlcoholTestingFAQ.aspx
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-pathologist-careers.htm
https://pathology.medicine.iu.edu/education/graduate/graduate-tracks/pathologists-assistant/
https://www.videoblocks.com/video/virologist-in-thought-about-the-cure-for-zika-virus-vivic-z9likdhkcrm/
http://www.careersinpublichealth.net/resources/4-reasons-consider-a-career-virology
http://veterinarycareers.com.au/job/animal-and-plant-health-agency-apha-weybridge-uk-2-senior-virologist/
http://blog.directcapital.com/business-insights/best-tech-tools-for-veterinarians/
http://www.aaha.org/blog/NewStat/post/2015/09/15/510178/Veterinary-profession-urged-to-oppose-mandatory-prescription-writing.aspx
http://www.wildaboutpets.net/info/innewsdetail.asp?nid=25&ID=1254
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm
http://medicalandhealthcare.com/professions/veterinary-zoology/epidemiologist-education-and-career-information.html
https://www.biotecnika.org/2017/01/biotech-life-sciences-job-jrf-opening-regional-centre-for-biotechnology-faridabad/
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http://nanolive.ch/technology-old/electron-microscope/
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-pathologist-careers.htm
https://pathology.medicine.iu.edu/education/graduate/graduate-tracks/pathologists-assistant/
https://www.videoblocks.com/video/virologist-in-thought-about-the-cure-for-zika-virus-vivic-z9likdhkcrm/
http://www.careersinpublichealth.net/resources/4-reasons-consider-a-career-virology
http://veterinarycareers.com.au/job/animal-and-plant-health-agency-apha-weybridge-uk-2-senior-virologist/
http://blog.directcapital.com/business-insights/best-tech-tools-for-veterinarians/
http://www.aaha.org/blog/NewStat/post/2015/09/15/510178/Veterinary-profession-urged-to-oppose-mandatory-prescription-writing.aspx
http://www.wildaboutpets.net/info/innewsdetail.asp?nid=25&ID=1254
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm
http://medicalandhealthcare.com/professions/veterinary-zoology/epidemiologist-education-and-career-information.html
https://www.biotecnika.org/2017/01/biotech-life-sciences-job-jrf-opening-regional-centre-for-biotechnology-faridabad/
https://profilab24.com/KERN-Transmitted-light-microscope-OBE-1
http://nanolive.ch/technology-old/electron-microscope/