Ref: Goel, A.  Dengue, (Multimedia CD Review).  Anil Aggrawal's Internet Journal of Book Reviews, 2009; Vol. 8, No. 2 (July - December 2009) ; Published July 1, 2009, (Accessed: 

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Anil Aggrawal's Internet Journal of Book Reviews

Volume 8, Number 2, July - December 2009

Multimedia Review Section

(Page 1)

A WEALTH OF USEFUL INFORMATION ...Little knowledge is a dangerous thing... Hence, it is very vital to have this CD, for a more complete information on Dengue {assembled compactly as a blessing in disguise}, than there can ever be...

 Dengue, (TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH SERIES),  (Publication date 2005, © The Trustee of The Wellcome Trust, London 2005) 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], 1 CD-ROM with booklet 9 pp. ISBN: 0851998046, Price: £120/$195 (Institutional); £30/$55 (Student/Individual); £45/$80 (Developing Country)

 Official site of this Multimedia: Click here to visit

Dengue, Multimedia CD

The Topics in International Health {TIH} Series brings out a wonderful collection of Multimedia CD ROMs on topics/diseases of significant medical importance worldwide, which include Dengue, Schistosomiasis, Tuberculosis, Sickle Cell Disease, Human African Trypanosomiasis, Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Leishmaniasis, Acute Respiratory Infections, Trachoma and Nutrition. These CDs are based on extensive research and have been reviewed by experts from their respective fields. Considering this, obviously these are some of the most intelligible comprehensive resources of latest invaluable quality information that is very well organized into 3 parts: Interactive tutorials, Image collection and Glossary; they cover all the related aspects of a disease. Often many heavy books are available in the market, which give a plethora of information in a poorly-defined manner; contrast to this a compact disc that gives much presentable information {not just text, but images, videos, animations and audio too} and is easily installable on your computer. {and with many more user-friendly features too..!!}

Dengue, also commonly known as BreakBone Fever, is of great importance because of its worldwide distribution and increasing number of cases. Around 100 million people are infected annually, and this potentially fatal disease is very often difficult to differentially diagnose from other similar conditions presenting with very much the same spectrum of clinical signs and symptoms. It therefore becomes absolutely essential to have an ace up one's sleeve, to provide useful information to effectively handle patients at work. This is where this CD comes into play. It provides much information on the Epidemiology, Transmission, Prevention & Control, Pathology & Pathogenesis, Clinical Diagnosis, Lab Diagnosis and Case Management of not only Dengue Fever but also associated conditions like Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome.

Why the ages affected by Dengue differ in Asia & America? Why the disease is transmitted only by female Aedes mosquito? What is the basis of classifying a patient as having Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever or Dengue Shock Syndrome? What are the latest WHO criteria for specimen collection? What are the various danger/warning signs and common errors in management? These are just a few questions this educational review comprehensively answers.

...Some brilliant features of this CD include - Relevant images of clinical signs & diagnostic methods {One image even shows a Cryoelectron Microscopic image of a mature Dengue virus!!!!}, Videos, Animations {showing the transmission of the disease clearly}, Flowcharts {one showing the ideal method of triage of patients}, Graphs & Maps {showing change in regional distribution and number of cases}...

It might also interest, that Aspirin is many a times considered a drug of choice for almost every type of pain relief {even if it be bone or joint pain of dengue}. But for the information of the uninformed, Aspirin is to be AVOIDED especially in patients of Dengue, because of the risk of mucosal bleeding, platelet dysfunction and acidosis. Paracetamol is used instead. This point also highlights the importance of not missing the diagnosis of Dengue if a patient presents unusually. For instance, an extract from this CD-

" A patient of Dengue may present with neurological signs, acute hepatic dysfunction and metabolic abnormalities {acidosis or hyponatremia} with pain."

If such a patient is not thought of as having Dengue in the primary visit, it can prove to be fatal. Firstly, the medical practitioner may prescribe Aspirin for pain relief, which may ironically harm the patient. Secondly, it has also been noticed, that there is an increased fatality rate in such unusual cases. Hence, the idol, representing the significance of having such useful information at hand, is just chiseled even finer by this point.

Some brilliant features of this CD include the following: Relevant images of clinical signs & diagnostic methods {One image even shows a Cryoelectron Microscopic image of a mature Dengue virus!!!!}, Videos, Animations {showing the transmission of the disease clearly}, Flowcharts {one showing the ideal method of triage of patients}, Graphs & Maps {showing change in regional distribution and number of cases}. Then there are features for self-assessment, a notepad{to make your own notes while studying the CD}, a glossary that provides for the clear meaning of all the medical terms used{For the first time in my life, I understood the difference between Sensitivity and Specificity!!!; Hyperendemicity is also described}, a Find option to search for any key word you may want to relate to the current information, and links for related tutorials, further reading and activities.

Little knowledge is a dangerous thing... Hence, it is very vital to have this CD, for a more complete information on Dengue {assembled compactly as a blessing in disguise}, than there can ever be!!!

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 Trachoma, Wellcome Trust CD-ROM This CD-ROM provides a wealth of useful information on the biology, epidemology, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of trachoma 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

-Akshay Goel Akshay Goel, 21, currently a 4th professional year {8th semester} undergraduate MBBS student at Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, is dedicated to medicine {His dedication can be gauged from the fact that he apart from the Delhi PMT and other Medical Entrance Exams, also cleared the Indian Institute of Technology [IIT] and Delhi College of Engineering [DCE] entrance exams with superb ranks, but chose to join MAMC}. A brilliant student academically, performing exceedingly well round the year, he is a keen reviewer with a perfect blend of a fast-thinking but calm & composed mind. He has been a splendid debator from school days and is also an avid chess player who has won many competitions in college and inter-college events. Akshay can be contacted at akshay_the_columban@yahoo.com., or by phone at 9911047777.

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