Free HIV treatments directory

November 24, 2010

HIV treatments directory

Luigi Buonaguro

HIV Treatments Directory

Differding Virginia, NAM Publications, 2010

£64•95.

HIV Treatments Directory is definitely much more than merely a directory. It is,

in my opinion, a comprehensive manual that provides adequate general background

information on HIV infection and AIDS, with a subject-by-subject, rich, and

up-to-date bibliography.

The book is given a logical structure with appropriately titled and well written

chapters that highlight the most relevant information for the whole spectrum of

potential readers. Lay readers will find a great deal of interesting information

on the complexity of HIV/AIDS.

Educators will find much information that can be passed on to their students.

Patients can use this book to answer any questions they have about current and

future treatments. Health-care professionals will have a single and

easy-to-consult book—along with its accompanying digital media—providing the

most comprehensive information about available antiretroviral drugs.

The whole book is available online—for free. Such unrestricted access will

definitely help to increase the level of knowledge and awareness in communities

that have limited access to information because of either economic or social

factors.

The possibility of sharing the book via the most popular social networks or by

email will further enable the access of information about HIV infection, AIDS,

and treatments. Several other guidelines on HIV treatment are available online,

but none of these seem to be as comprehensive, organised, or as well structured

as NAM's HIV Treatments Directory.

The information offered by the other guidelines is scattered between different

unconnected web pages, which, in most of the cases, can be printed only for

personal use. Perhaps the unrestricted access provided by NAM will set a

precedent for access to all similar publications in the future.

In conclusion, NAM's HIV Treatments Directory is an essential manual that should

be advertised to as many people as possible worldwide and should not be missing

from the library of anyone with a professional or personal interest in HIV/AIDS.

The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Volume 10, Issue 12, Page 827, December 2010

doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(10)70273-5 Cite or Link Using DOI

Recommended Posts