The review provides information on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding some interleukins belonging to the interleukin-1 (IL-1) superfamily and on their association with different infectious and non-infectious human diseases. It also briefs on the history of SNP discovery and the progress in the related scientific studies till the present time. It gives an insight into some mechanisms of interaction between infectious agents and the human immune system, involving SNPs in some cytokines of the IL-1 superfamily. The review provides data on relationships of SNPs in genes encoding other factors of the immune system, which are associated with the specific characteristics of natural history of chronic hepatitis B and C. It explores the significance of assessment of the SNP-proportion in proinflammatory cytokines and their antagonists of the IL-1 superfamily among the healthy population as well as the ratio of individual SNPs in specific groups of patients as a monitoring parameter for epidemiological surveillance of infectious diseases.