Challenge of AIDS

The Challenge of AIDS is written to impart knowledge about AIDS and a realisation of the challenge that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) poses to us. The book briefly covers different aspects ranging from the origin of HIV and AIDS to the most recent developments in vaccine. AIDS research has attracted some of the finest brains among doctors and scientists of the world; and yet, an effective cure eludes us. Progress in vaccine development seems to take two steps forward, but one-and-a-half steps backward. In these circumstances, prevention is the only goal. The book provides the necessary knowledge, but it cannot supply the weapon to fight the challenge of HIV/ AIDS. Indeed, that weapon—a mind prepared to apply the knowledge—rests with the reader. ABOUT THE AUTHOR : Dr Khorshed M. Pavri, former Director of the National Institute of Virology (NIV) at Pune, is involved with research on viral diseases and is a member of the WHO expert panel on viral diseases. Since 1986, she has been initiating studies on AIDS and HIV, including isolation of the virus. At present, she is working as the Project Director for the Bombay-based ICMR Centre for AIDS Research and Control (CARC). She is also the editor of the quarterly journal, CARC Calling. Dr Pavri has been active in AIDS prevention programmes undertaken by governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and is one of the founder-members of the Society for Prevention of AIDS (SPA) in Bombay.