Ref: Paul O.  HIV/AIDS (TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH SERIES) (Multimedia CD Review).  Anil Aggrawal's Internet Journal of Book Reviews, 2007; Vol. 6, No. 1 (January - June 2007) ; Published January 1, 2007, (Accessed: 

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Anil Aggrawal's Internet Journal of Book Reviews

Volume 6, Number 1, January - June 2007

Multimedia Review Section

(Page 1)

A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE ...This series from topics in international health (TIH) is a revolution in studies via multimedia in medical field. The software is very user friendly and is specially designed for covering topics related to medical field. It appears that the designer is well aware of the intricacies which come into the mind of a medical student while studying. Use of pop ups at suitable places makes it very much more informative. Use of animations is a wonderful way to explain the phenomenon of virus spread even for a layman. It has been designed with a motive to cover more and more of the topic in least possible time while grabbing all important things in mind...

 HIV/AIDS (TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH SERIES) (Publication date 2001, © The Trustee of The Wellcome Trust, London 2001) Multimedia CD-ROM,

CABI Publishing, 10 East 40th Street, Suite 3203, New York, NY10016, USA, Tel: 44 (0) 1491 829255, E-mail: cabweb@cabi.org, [Also published by Wellcome Trust, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK. T +44 (0)20 7611 8888. F +44 (0)20 7611 8545], 10 East 40th Street, Suite 3203, New York, NY10016, USA, Tel: 44 (0) 1491 829255, E-mail: cabweb@cabi.org, 1 CD-ROM with booklet 9 pp. ISBN: 0 85199 370 2. Price: £120/$195 (Institutional); £30/$55 (Student/Individual); £45/$80 (Developing Country)

Contains 11 interactive tutorials (Overview, Biology of HIV, Natural History, Infections and malignancies, Epidemiology, Transmission and risk factors, Prevention, Diagnosis and monitoring, Women and children, Management & Social and psychological issues) and a collection of approximately 700 images.

 Official site of this Multimedia: Click here to visit

HIV/AIDS , Multimedia CD

This series from topics in international health (TIH) is a revolution in studies via multimedia in medical field. The software is very user friendly and is specially designed for covering topics related to medical field. It appears that the designer is well aware of the intricacies which come into the mind of a medical student while studying. Use of pop ups at suitable places makes it very much more informative. Use of animations is a wonderful way to explain the phenomenon of virus spread even for a layman. It has been designed with a motive to cover more and more of the topic in least possible time while grabbing all important things in mind.

Only a few days ago I was wondering where to study the topic of HIV/AIDS from as the topic is very vast. The vastness is mainly due to its various clinical manifestations and involvement of almost each and every system of human body in one way or the other. It is an important disease of modern era and due to its seriousness, associated morbidity and mortality, wide spectrum of clinical presentation, the complexity involved in the disease process and its global concerns . So, it deserves most of our attention and research, moreover, no specific book can explain it in all aspects. Then Dr. Anil told me about this multimedia CD. I studied it and believe me it was a real fun. This CD broke the monotony and morosity of the topic, there was no need of any further references as all the matter has been included in such a way that we can get everything in a small space and also in the most presentable way.

Whole the subject matter has been divided into proper contexts and it covers all the topics from basic viral biology to management of disease as well as more sensitive topics like social stigma related to this disease and has been given considerable weightage.

Some illustrative figurse from this CD. All show various manifestations of HIV/AIDS. The complete CD has more than 700 high resolution images like this, which show not only clinical manifestations, but causative factors, ways of transmission, methods of diagnosis, prevention, treatment and several other aspects of AIDS [Click each picture to enlarge].

The topic has been divided in about eleven sub- topics, the first one is an overview . The next sub- topic is biology of virus and has been explained beautifully in 53 screens explaining each and every aspect of HIV biology such as classification of HIV, its structure, its genome and expression, replication process, course of the disease, effect on immune system, Anti -HIV drugs and their mode of action, viral variation followed by a self assessment test and summary of whole at the end.

Under the next sub-topic Natural History with a span of 45 screens is explained the different stages involved in disease the primary infection its signs and symptoms, most common presentations, there severity, the lab investigations required at this stage and their specificity and sensitivity, pre and post test counseling have been explained with a success, Asymptomatic interval and reason for this period followed by more dreadful early and late symptomatic period followed again by an assessment test and a summary. This section is really very informative and use of images of almost all clinically definable conditions have added to the charm.

The next sub-topic infection and malignancies is the one of the most informative part of the whole session and explains the involvement of various systems in this disease with the use of interactive images, various modes of skin involvement, clinical features and management followed by respiratory system, gastro-intestinal tract involvement, C. N. S involvement, eye involvement all these have been dealt in detail.

Next in line is epidemiology , unlike always epidemiology is an interesting part of this C. D, use of bar graphs, pie charts and hand made posters by children are added attractions in this portion and this section gives us an estimate of gravity of the condition and its global impact and the recent trends, it covers modes of transmission, epidemic pattern, regional and global consequences of the condition.

After this Transmission and risk factors is covered over next 47 screens explaining in detail the various modes of spread of AIDS explaining the High risk groups, sexual methods responsible for transmission, vertical transmission, parenteral transmission and its implications and last but not the least in fact the most important COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS have been dealt with great accuracy and creativity.

Quick revision notes at the end of each subtopic are provided and you can check your knowledge and your attentiveness just after covering that portion. Quizzes and fill ups are really a wonderful way to make you learn the subject. Notepads with each sub-topics are provided to make notes.

The topic on AIDS PREVENTION is really an amazing one, the mind games given after the chapter are really informative as well as refreshing. Diagnosis and monitoring is the next topic and of course the most important one has been given due importance, HIV testing, clinical diagnosis serological tests, HIV genome tests are the further divisions under which the topic has been covered. Mangement consists of the most recently developed regimens accurate doses, dose requirement for different populations HAART retroviral therapy. OPPURTUNISTIC infections and adverse effects of therapy both for treatment as well as prophylaxis has been explained in detail. A lots of bar graphs and flow charts have used to give an lasting memory into the topic. A considerable knowledge about the vaccines available and those under trial is a topic of recent interest. A very important topic of social and psychological issues has been discussed with great success.

Quick revision notes at the end of each subtopic are provided and you can check your knowledge and your attentiveness just after covering that portion. Quizzes and fill ups are really a wonderful way to make you learn the subject. Notepads with each sub-topics are provided to make notes.

A great job by wellcome trust . The lucid way of presentation and helping pop ups provided along with and a glossary which explain all the medical terminology have made this CD informative not only for medical and paramedical professionals but also for a layman to understand the complexity of the disease.

It was in fact a wonderful experience.

System requirements

Installation:

For Ordering Information and enquiries contact:

TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH SERIES

The Topics in International Health series is designed for use as an educational resource in tropical and international health. It is aimed at medical and life sciences students, their teachers, healthcare professionals, academics, and researchers.
There are 36 Video Clips for basic as well as advanced learning.
The series covers some of the most common causes of illness and mortality worldwide and aims to provide accessible high quality information. All the content of this CD is reviewed by experts in the relevant field.
Each CD-ROM provides three complementary resources: Interactive Tutorials, Image Collection, and Glossary.
1. The Interactive Tutorials provide a framework for self-directed learning. They are designed for use alone or in small groups. Each tutorial has clear learning objectives, self-assessment tests, references to encourage further reading and a summary to reinforce key points.
2. The Image Collection is a searchable database of photographic images and accompanying information. It can be used as a detailed reference source or to provide examples for practical exercises and lectures.
3. The Glossary is an electronic index which explains the medical and scientific terms used in the Tutorials and Image Collection. Each CD-ROM has its own subject-specific Glossary.
Topics in International Health HIV/AIDS, Wellcome Trust CD-ROM This CD-ROM provides a wealth of useful information on the biology, epidemology, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in an instructive and imaginative way. It would be very useful for training institutes or advanced students with access to computer facilities. Many images can be adapted for overheads for lectures or practical sessions.
Available from: CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 8DE,UK.
Fax:+44 1491 826090 E-mail:publishing@cabi.org

-Omesh Paul Born on 5th August 1981 at Ferozepore, Punjab Dr. Omesh Paul is an intern at Govt. Medical College and hospital, Patiala and is well known for his strong analytical and writing skills and enterprising nature. His quest for knowledge came to light when at the tender age of 23 he conducted two researches - one on HIV awareness in District Patiala and the other one on utilization of immunization services at Rajindra hospital, Patiala. He was offered to write for ghostwriter publishers on medical literature. He is presently running two forums at website Fropper.com regarding consultancy. Regarding extracurricular activities he was reported in press widely for his first prize in Hasya kavi Sammelan and third prize in Extempore debate at a cultural event of all medical colleges of northern india"Euphoria-2000" at G.M.C&H-32 Chandigarh. He has won a silver medal in college sports too. Dr. Paul can be contacted by Clicking here.

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 Go to cumulative index of multimedia reviews by clicking here.

 N.B. It is essential to read this journal - and especially this review as it contains several tables and high resolution graphics - under a screen resolution of 1600 x 1200 dpi or more. If the resolution is less than this, you may see broken or overlapping tables/graphics, graphics overlying text or other anomalies. It is strongly advised to switch over to this resolution to read this journal - and especially this review. These pages are viewed best in Netscape Navigator 4.7 and above.

-Editor-in-Chief

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Books for review must be submitted at the following address.

Professor Anil Aggrawal (Editor-in-Chief)
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