US expert speaks on HIV/AIDS

THE MP Bhoj Open University organised a lecture on ?molecular cell biology of HIV/AIDS? by Dr Pamela J Baker, professor and dean of faculty, Bates College, Lewinston, USA, today at the university campus.

THE MP Bhoj Open University organised a lecture on ‘molecular cell biology of HIV/AIDS’ by Dr Pamela J Baker, professor and dean of faculty, Bates College, Lewinston, USA, today at the university campus.

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Dr Baker was welcomed by Vice-Chancellor of the Bhoj University Dr Kamlakar Singh while regional director of the Indira Gandhi National Open University Dr K S Tiwari gave a brief account of demographical profile of people suffering from AIDS.

Delivering the lecture, Dr Baker made a comprehensive presentation on various aspects of HIV/AIDS including elaborating the HIV structure, infection process, how HIV replication takes place, mechanism of viral killing. She also discussed at length about how the immune system is progressively damaged leading to decline of health of HIV affected person.

Finally she discussed the preventive measures. She also spoke on the issues of high-risk, low-risk and no-risk behaviour. In the concluding part of the lecture, she elaborated on the myths and apprehensions associated with the disease. However, she noted that the various factors like multiple sex partners, blood transfusion of HIV infected persons are major factors responsible for spread of HIV.

Preventive measures like safe needles, safe sex, safe blood transfusion have been stressed. Some medicines have been invented in USA however they have limited effect and are extremely expensive even for people living in affluent societies.

Research is being done extensively in many countries to combat this deadly disease but the remedial vaccines are going to take more time.