10/28 readings

I found the article Asia and Africa: On Different Trajectories? more intriguing than Spectrum of Adverse Events After Generic HAART in Southern Indian HIV-Infected Patients. Spectrum of Adverse Events outlined the side effects of HAART in a group of Southern Indians, showing how results from previous studies, such as that females are less likely to develop hepatitis as males, may not apply to Southern Indians. The study also broke down different chemicals used for treatment and their individual side effects, such as those of AZT and Nephirapine. I found the other article more interesting because I thought this article, although it offered more solid statistics and data as proof, showed that the chemicals used to treat HIV can have various side effects, something that I already knew. It is why treatment cannot be started at the onset of HIV (Inducing mutation of the various strains of HIV is another reason). On the other hand, the article contrasting Asia and Africa concluded that AIDS in Asia may not necessarily follow the same path and reach as high of a prevalence as in Africa. First, HIV in Asia is more concentrated, mostly in drug users and sex workers, groups that can be targeted specifically for HIV prevention. Another reason is because Asia was hit after Africa, which makes all the difference since now we understand various ways on how to prevent an AIDS epidemic. This is one of the points that John Iliffe made in his book The African AIDS Epidemic. I thought the article was relieving to read since I was worried, after the very first reading assignment, that Asia may be the next to experience a full blown AIDS epidemic that can be as horrifying as Africa. Though the article does not necessarily conclude that AIDS cannot possibly have as high of a prevalence in Asia as Africa, it expresses hope that something, such as targeting specific groups, can be done so that this will not happen in Asia. That was what I found most intriguing about this article, though it may not offer a detailed study like the other one did.