Renowned clinical pharmacologist Craig Hendrix, M.D., presented a virtual lecture titled “COVID-19 and HIV Pandemic Responses: Individual Responsibility, Drug Development, and Prevention,” on April 7 via a Zoom meeting.
Kristin Porter, Ph.D., Westfield State professor of biology, previously worked with Dr. Hendrix, a professor of medicine and pharmacology and molecular sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Dr. Hendrix’s primary research focuses on clinical pharmacology and the development of antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV infection.
During his presentation, Dr. Hendrix presented x-rays and information about patients infected with COVID-19: a mild case and a severe case, detailing how each case was treated and how the patients responded as an example.
He reviewed signs and symptoms and hospitalization among the ages and how much more likely older individuals are to succumb to the disease, and how underlying conditions make individuals more susceptible to contracting the infection.
Clinically, each infection transitions from a viral to a host inflammatory response. The antibody response and testing options were shared, displaying how each works on the body.
Dr. Hendrix shared that the asymptomatic cases are the most perplexing. In some studies, he mentioned, there are ranges between six percent and 45 percent of individuals who did not exhibit symptoms yet became infected and possibly infected others.
Statistics of those infected by COVID-19 among different countries, and among various U.S. cities were analyzed. The Lombardy region of Italy was the hardest hit, as its healthcare system was unable to handle the rapid rise in the number of infected citizens, leading to a higher number of infections and deaths in that area.
He shared how the reaction of epidemic scenarios and solutions that would handle those infected and help to “flatten the curve,” and not overwhelm the health care capacity in each region.
Following an explanation of the virus life cycle and how the virus works, Dr. Hendrix closed with a look into the drug and vaccine development process, from preclinical, disposition, action, efficacy, application, and post-marketing.
He concluded with a brief question and answer period, where he encouraged individuals to follow the protocols of social distancing, limited contact and use of personal protective equipment to work together to ultimately defeat this disease.