Glossary

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS):

A disease of the immune system, which is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. At this stage, HIV has destroyed many CD4 cells leaving the body potentially susceptible to life‑threatening infections or cancers.

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART):

Treatment regimens that stop or slow the HIV virus from copying itself and keep HIV disease from progressing. The usual ART regimen combines 2 or more HIV drugs from at least 2 different classes.

CD4+ Cell:

A type of white blood cell that fights infections. The more CD4+ cells a person has, the healthier their immune system is. HIV infects and kills CD4+ cells, weakening the immune system.

CD4+ Cell Count:

The number of CD4+ cells in a blood sample. Helps healthcare professionals show whether treatment is working. Even if your CD4+ cell count has increased with treatment, you can still pass HIV on to others.

Clinical Trial:

A research study that uses human volunteers to help find new treatments for diseases and conditions.

Dose:

The amount of a medicine that should be taken during a given time period.

Drug Class:

A group of medications that work in a similar way.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV):

The virus that causes AIDS.

Immune Reconstitution:

Can happen when someone’s CD4+ cell count goes up after they start HIV treatment. Fever, swelling, redness, or discharge may mean that their immune system is getting stronger. But this reaction can be very serious and must be treated accordingly.

Immune Response:

When the body defends itself against a foreign invader, such as a virus or bacteria.

Immune System:

The group of cells and organs whose job is to protect the body from infections.

Immunodeficiency:

Inability to produce normal amounts of the disease-fighting cells that protect the body against infections.

Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NNRTI):

A class of HIV drug that blocks an enzyme in the body called HIV reverse transcriptase. HIV needs this enzyme to make more virus.

Side Effect:

When a drug causes a reaction in the body that it is not meant to cause. Usually refers to something unwanted, such as dizziness, headache, or tiredness.

T Cell:

A type of white blood cell that fights disease. T cells include CD4+ cells.

Undetectable Viral Load:

When the amount of HIV in the blood is too low to be seen on a viral load blood test. Getting to undetectable is a good thing, but it does not mean your HIV is cured, and you may still pass it to others

Viral Load:

The amount of HIV found in a blood sample. Your healthcare provider will do a simple blood test to determine your viral load, which helps them understand how well treatment is working.