Glossary

Abstinence—voluntarily choosing not to have sex.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)—a condition that develops as a result of HIV infection. A person is said to have AIDS when their CD4 cell count is below 200 or they have 1 or more AIDS-related illnesses.

Acute sinus infection—an infection of the nasal sinuses usually caused by bacteria that lasts up to 4 weeks.

AIDS Service Organization (ASO)— ie, local organizations that provide a wide variety of services to people living with HIV and AIDS, including counseling, help finding treatment assistance, and others. Most of the services provided are free.

Anemia—a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry inhaled oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Antibiotics—a medicine used to treat infections.

Bacterial pneumonia—a lung infection caused by bacteria. This type of pneumonia usually develops very quickly over a few days. The symptoms may include fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, chattering teeth, or green or yellowish mucus.

Bisexual—Of, relating to, or having a sexual orientation to persons of both sexes.

CD4 cell or T cell—is a special type of blood cell responsible for helping your body to fight off germs and infection.

CD4 cell count—a measurement of the amount of T cells found in your blood.

C-section or caeasarian section—an operation used to deliver a baby in which the surgeon cuts through the pregnant woman's abdomen.

Cardiovacular system—the group of organs responsible for moving blood and nutrients throughout the body. The organs in the system include the heart, veins, arteries, capillaries, and the plasma and cells that make up the blood.

Cervical dysplasia—a precancerous condition of the cervix, the lowest part of the uterus. Dysplasia is classified as mild, moderate, or severe.

Chlamydia—a common sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. This disease can damage a woman's reproductive organs.

Cholesterol—soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in food, the bloodstream, and in all of your body's cells.

Chronic sinus infection—a sinus infection that is usually related to allergies and lasts 12 weeks or longer.

Cryptococcal meningitis—a disease caused by a fungus. The disease causes swelling and inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

Fasting plasma glucose test (FPG)—a test that measures blood glucose after you have not eaten for at least 8 hours.

Fatigue—extreme tiredness.

Folic acid or folate—a B vitamin that can help the body make new cells.

Fungus—a type of organism; some can cause a serious infection.

Fusion Inhibitors (FIs)—a type of anti-HIV medication that stops HIV from entering the cells.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)—often called acid reflux disease; a chronic condition in the lower throat that allows stomach acids to move backward into the throat, causing heartburn, acid indigestion, etc.

Gastrointestinal system—the group of organs responsible for digesting food and providing fuel to your body. The organs in this system include the mouth, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gall bladder, small intestines, and large intestines.

Genitals—the medical term used to describe the vagina and penis.

Gonorrhea—a bacterial infection that is transmitted by sexual contact; symptoms include inflammation and discharge from genital tissues.

Gynecological—relating to diseases or conditions that affect the reproductive systems of women.

Hemophilia—an inherited disease of uncontrolled bleeding that usually affects males. This disease makes it difficult to stop bleeding following a cut or bruise.

Herpes—a condition caused by a virus. There are 2 types of herpes, genital and oral. The symptoms associated with herpes include painful bumps that burst over time and then heal. They can later reappear. This reappearance of symptoms is called a "flare-up" or "outbreak."

Hepatitis—an inflamed liver; sometimes caused by infection.

Homosexual— of, relating to, or having a sexual orientation to persons of the same sex.

Heterosexual— of, relating to, or having a sexual orientation to persons of the opposite sex.

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)—this term is used to describe the combination of medications used to treat HIV. These combinations are usually made up of the 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and 1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) or protease inhibitor (PI).

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)—the virus that causes AIDS.

Hypogonadism—a condition in which there are low levels or impaired production of hormones.

Immune system—the system of the body that protects us against germs and infection by these germs. The organs involved in this system include the thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes, as well as special types of blood cells, including T cells and B cells.

Integrase—these HIV proteins trick the host cell into thinking that HIV is a normal part of a cell which prevents the immune system from fighting off HIV infection.

Kaposi's sarcoma—a cancer-like disease of the skin that is seen among some people with HIV. The symptoms include bruise-like wounds that are reddish purple. More commonly seen in men with HIV than women.

Latex—material used in condoms.

Legumes—foods that can help improve the quality of protein that your body gets from the foods you eat. Examples of legumes are beans, lentils, peas, peanut butter, and soybeans.

Lipid-lowering medications—medications that are used to lower the cholesterol and fat levels in your blood.

Lipodystrophy—a medical condition that involves changes in body fat.

Long-term non-progressors—people with HIV who have stayed healthy 10 or more years with no anti-HIV medications.

Metabolic disorders—disorders that affect the ability of the body to produce energy. Examples include diabetes, lipodystrophy, wasting syndrome, and hypogonadism.

Mutate—this term is used to describe when the genes of a virus or bacteria change. This process can cause resistance, making drugs less effective.

Nervous system—the control center of your body. The organs of the nervous system include the brain, spinal cord, and the nerves of the body.

Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)—a type of anti-HIV medication that stops production of new copies of HIV.

Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)—a type of anti-HIV medication that stops some of the building blocks of the virus from being made.

Obstetrician/Gynecologist—a doctor that specializes in treating women's reproductive diseases and pregnancy.

Oral thrush—a fungal infection of the mouth and tongue.

Pap smear—a test that checks for abnormal, unhealthy cells in the cervix (the lowest part of the uterus) and for cervical cancer.

Patient-assistance programs—programs sponsored by pharmaceutical companies that are designed to help those with low-level income pay for their medications.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)—infection and inflammation of the upper genital tract in women. It can affect the uterus (womb), fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus), ovaries, and other organs related to reproduction.

Peripheal neouropathy—a problem with nerves that may cause burning, stinging, stiffness, tingling, or numbness in the hands and feet.

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)—this type of pneumonia is caused by a fungus. It develops more slowly than bacterial pneumonia and is most commonly seen in people with CD4 cell counts below 200. If left untreated, this type of pneumonia can cause the respiratory system to stop working and eventually result in death.

Pneumonia—a disease that causes inflammation of the lungs and the buildup of fluid in the lungs. Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, and difficulty breathing.

Polio—disease is caused by a virus, which causes muscles not to work and attacks the nervous system of the human body. If left untreated, polio can eventually lead to death.

Protease inhibitor (PI)—a type of anti-HIV medication that stops newly formed copies of HIV from putting themselves together.

Psyillium husk fiber bars—these bars made out of fiber are produced by the plant, psyllium husk. These bars can help slow diarrhea.

Public-assistance programs—programs designed to provide healthcare benefits to qualified people without access to private insurance, sponsored by the government (includes Medicare, Medicaid and AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs)).

Rapid Antibody tests—these tests are used to tell if someone is infected with HIV. They can be done using saliva or urine, and the results are usually ready within 15 to 30 minutes.

Resistance—the medical term used to describe when a virus or germ is no longer effectively controlled by a particular drug.

Respiratory system—the group of organs responsible for delivering inhaled oxygen to the rest of the body. The organs in this system include the lungs, mouth, nose, and windpipe.

Reverse transcriptase—HIV proteins that help the virus make copies of its building blocks by using the infected cell's machinery.

Resistance—the medical term used to describe when a virus or germ is no longer effectively controlled by a particular drug

Respiratory system—the group of organs responsible for delivering inhaled oxygen to the rest of the body. The organs in this system include the lungs, mouth, nose, and windpipe.

Reverse transcriptase—HIV proteins that help the virus make copies of its building blocks by using the infected cell's machinery.

Saturated fats—the main dietary cause of high blood cholesterol. Saturated fats are found mainly in foods that come from animals, such as meat or dairy products.

Shingles—a disease caused by the virus that also causes chicken pox. This condition involves inflammation of the spine and other nerves and results in painful sores

Sinus—empty space in the bones found at the front of the skull.

Staple foods—types of food that supply the body with energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Examples of staple foods include rice, wheat, sweet potatoes/yams, yucca (cassava), and plantains.

Syphilis—a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by bacteria. If left untreated, this disease can cause rashes, lesions, insanity, and eventually death. This disease has 3 stages that can continue over many years.

Toxoplasmosis—a disease caused by a parasite. This disease affects the brain and nervous system. The symptoms include headache, fever, confusion, seizures, abnormal behavior, and coma.

Trichomoniasis—a sexually transmitted disease that can cause unpleasant discharges from the penis or vagina.

Tuberculosis—an illness caused by a specific type of bacterial infection. This disease usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect the liver, kidneys, stomach, bones, skin, breasts, brain, and spinal cord.

Undetectable viral load— term is used to describe a viral load that is less than 50 to 400. When people with HIV have an undetectable viral load, it means they are less likely to become sick, and it is less likely that their anti-HIV medications will stop working. An undetectable viral load does not mean that HIV infection is no longer present or transmittable.

Unsaturated fats—types of fat that are considered healthy and are mainly found in plants and their oils, such as soybean, nuts, corn oil, and olive oil.

Viral load—a measurement of the amount of HIV found in your blood.

Virus—a small particle that can cause an infection. Viruses cannot live on their own and need the cells of a living thing, called a host, to survive.

Vitamin B₁₂—vitamin that is commonly found in a variety of foods such as fish, shellfish, meats, and dairy products. This vitamin helps maintain healthy nerve and blood cells.

Wasting or wasting syndrome—an HIV-related condition that causes weight loss, shrunken faces, arms, and legs. This condition can be seen in people with HIV whether they are on medication or not.