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The Hypochondriac's Pocket Guide to Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have
by Dennis DiClaudio
Bloomsbury
ISBN 1-59691-061-5
Published December 2005 - Softcover - 208 pages - $14.95

Firstly, this is not a medical book even though the forty five featured diseases are real and are dangerous.  As you probably know, we're confronted by trillions of germs, bacteria, and viruses every second of every day, but it's nice to know a little more about some of them, as horrific as some of them are.  However, as the author says, "If, after careful self-diagnosis based upon your apparent symptoms, you come to the conclusion that you have Marburg hemorrhagic fever or cerebral sparganosis, get a second opinion".  I think this book should do well in this country as the national obsession seems to be with medical matters.  They keep telling us we need to ask our doctors about any number of prescription medications that we might need, for heaven's sake.  All illnesses in this book feature Prognosis, Prevention, Treatment, Symptoms, and Diagnosis to help you identify what you may or may not have, and includes Autoimmune, Bacterial, Genetic & Neurological, Idiopathic, Parasitic, Toxic & Fungal, and Viral & Prionic aspects of the world of sicknesses.  An example of the funny side: Under treatment of Acromegaly: (NOTE: Please do not attempt this on your own) - removal of a tumor on the pituitary gland.  Now, illnesses and sicknesses are not things to be laughed at, but hey, you've got to see the funny side of life.  You've just got to.  Some of the scarier diseases were: Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis; Cavernous Sinus Granulomatosis; Ascariasis, and Ergotoxicosis.
Conclusion - This is just what the hypochondriac in your family needs.