Resources & Tools
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Acute Infection
Acute HIV infection is the earliest stage after exposure, with rapid viral multiplication. Flu-like symptoms may occur, and early testing is crucial.
Adherence
Adherence to HIV treatment means taking medication as prescribed. High adherence is essential for ART success and viral suppression.
AIDS
AIDS is the late stage of HIV, marked by a severely damaged immune system and opportunistic infections. Early diagnosis and ART can prevent progression to AIDS.
Antibodies
Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to fight HIV. HIV tests detect these antibodies to diagnose infection.
Antiretroviral
Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) combat HIV by preventing viral replication. Consistent use of ARVs, known as ART, is crucial for managing HIV.
Asymptomatic
Asymptomatic HIV infection is a stage with no symptoms, but the virus is still active. Regular monitoring and treatment are essential.
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Baseline
Baseline data is the initial data collected at the start of a study. It provides a reference point for measuring progress and change over time.
Biktarvy
Biktarvy is a single-tablet HIV treatment, highly effective and well-tolerated. It simplifies medication regimens for people living with HIV.
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CD4 Count
CD4 count measures immune system health in people with HIV. A low CD4 count indicates advanced immune deficiency.
Chronic
Chronic HIV infection is the long-term stage where the virus persists. Treatment is essential to prevent progression to AIDS.
Combination Therapy
Combination therapy (ART) uses multiple drugs to effectively suppress HIV. It is the standard treatment to prevent drug resistance.
Condom
A condom is a barrier method preventing HIV and STI transmission during sex. Consistent use is a key prevention strategy.
Counseling
HIV counseling provides support and information before and after HIV testing. It helps individuals make informed decisions about prevention and care.
Cure Research
Cure research aims to eliminate HIV completely from the body. It explores strategies beyond viral suppression.
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Diagnosis
HIV diagnosis is the process of determining HIV infection, crucial for care and prevention. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential.
Disclosure
HIV disclosure is informing someone about your HIV status, a personal decision. Counseling and support are important for safe disclosure.
Drug Resistance
HIV drug resistance occurs when HIV mutates, reducing drug effectiveness. Adherence to ART is key to prevent resistance.
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Early Detection
Early HIV detection enables prompt treatment and reduces transmission. Regular testing is vital for early diagnosis.
ELISA Test
ELISA test is a common lab test for HIV screening, detecting antibodies in blood. Positive results require confirmatory tests.
Enzyme
Enzymes are proteins HIV needs to replicate. Antiretroviral drugs often target these enzymes to block the viral lifecycle.
Epidemic
Epidemic refers to the widespread occurrence of a disease in a community. The HIV epidemic is a major global health challenge.
Exposure
HIV exposure is when HIV transmission is possible. Prevention measures like PrEP and condoms reduce exposure risk.
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False Negative
False negative HIV tests indicate no HIV when infection is present. Testing during the window period can cause false negatives.
False Positive
False positive HIV tests indicate HIV infection when none exists. Confirmatory tests are essential to verify positive screening results.
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HAART
HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) is an older term for combination ART. It revolutionized HIV treatment.
Healthcare Provider
Healthcare providers are essential for HIV services. They provide testing, treatment, care, and prevention guidance.
High-Risk Behavior
High-risk behaviors increase HIV transmission risk. Prevention programs target these behaviors with education and resources.
HIV-1
HIV-1 is the most common and virulent type of HIV globally. Most tests and treatments target HIV-1.
HIV-2
HIV-2 is a less common, slower-progressing type of HIV, mainly in West Africa. It requires specific diagnosis and treatment.
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Immune System
The immune system defends the body against infections. HIV weakens it by attacking CD4 cells.
Incidence
HIV incidence is the rate of new HIV infections in a population. It measures the spread of HIV and effectiveness of prevention.
Infection
HIV infection is the condition caused by the HIV virus attacking the immune system. Treatment can manage HIV but not cure it.
Integrase Inhibitors
Integrase inhibitors are ARV drugs blocking HIV enzyme integrase. They prevent HIV from integrating into cell DNA.
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Latent Infection
Latent HIV infection is when HIV is dormant but present, forming reservoirs. It prevents HIV cure with current treatments.
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Microbicide
Microbicides are topical substances preventing HIV and STI transmission. They empower individuals to protect themselves.
Mother-to-Child Transmission
Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is HIV spread from mother to child. PMTCT interventions greatly reduce MTCT risk.
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Opportunistic Infection
Opportunistic infections (OIs) affect people with weakened immune systems like those with HIV. ART and prophylaxis prevent OIs.
Oral Test
Oral HIV tests are rapid tests using oral fluid to detect HIV antibodies. They are convenient for screening.
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PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is emergency medication after HIV exposure. It must be started within 72 hours to prevent infection.
Perinatal Transmission
Perinatal HIV transmission is the same as mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). PMTCT efforts aim to eliminate it.
Persistent Infection
Persistent HIV infection means HIV remains in the body lifelong, even with treatment. Latent reservoirs cause this persistence.
Pill Burden
Pill burden is the number of pills for daily HIV treatment. Modern ART aims to reduce pill burden for better adherence.
Plasma Viral Load
Plasma viral load measures HIV virus amount in the blood. It indicates treatment effectiveness and risk of transmission.
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is daily medication for HIV-negative people at risk. It prevents HIV acquisition if taken consistently.
Prevention
HIV prevention encompasses strategies to reduce HIV transmission. Condoms, PrEP, and testing are key prevention methods.
Protease Inhibitors
Protease inhibitors are ARV drugs blocking HIV protease enzyme. They are part of combination ART regimens.
Proviral DNA
Proviral DNA is HIV genetic material integrated into human cells. It forms latent reservoirs, hindering HIV cure.
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Rapid Test
Rapid HIV tests provide quick results, often using oral fluid or blood. They are crucial for point-of-care testing and screening.
Remission
HIV remission (functional cure) is long-term viral control without ART. It is a research goal, not yet widely achievable.
Resistance Testing
Resistance testing determines if HIV is resistant to ARV drugs. It guides treatment changes in case of treatment failure.
Retrovirus
Retrovirus is a virus type using RNA, like HIV. Reverse transcriptase enzyme enables RNA-to-DNA conversion.
Risk Reduction
HIV risk reduction involves behaviors to lower HIV transmission. Safer sex and PrEP are risk reduction strategies.
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Safer Sex
Safer sex practices reduce STI/HIV risk during sex. Condom use and limiting partners are safer sex methods.
Screening
HIV screening is testing everyone for HIV for early detection. Routine screening is recommended in many settings.
Seroconversion
Seroconversion is when HIV antibodies become detectable after infection. HIV tests are most accurate after seroconversion.
Serodiscordant Couple
Serodiscordant couples have one HIV-positive and one HIV-negative partner. Prevention strategies enable safer sex and conception.
Seropositive
Seropositive means testing HIV-positive, indicating HIV infection. It requires follow-up care and treatment.
Serostatus
Serostatus is a person's HIV test result (positive or negative). Knowing serostatus is key for prevention and care.
Sexual Health
Sexual health is overall well-being related to sexuality, beyond just absence of disease. It includes pleasure, safety, and respect.
Stigma
HIV stigma is negative attitudes towards people with HIV. It hinders prevention, testing, and treatment efforts.
Suppression
Viral suppression means HIV treatment is working, reducing virus to undetectable levels. It improves health and prevents transmission.
Surveillance
HIV surveillance is ongoing data collection on HIV. It tracks epidemic trends and guides public health responses.
Symptomatic
Symptomatic HIV infection is when HIV-related symptoms appear. It indicates progressing immune deficiency.
Syndrome
Syndrome is a group of symptoms defining a disease. AIDS is a syndrome caused by HIV, not a single disease itself.
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T-Cell
T-cells (CD4 cells) are immune cells HIV targets and destroys. CD4 count measures immune system health in HIV.
Transmission
HIV transmission is the spread of HIV through specific body fluids. Prevention focuses on blocking transmission routes.
Treatment
HIV treatment (ART) uses drugs to control HIV, not cure it. ART allows people with HIV to live long, healthy lives.
Treatment Failure
HIV treatment failure is when ART stops suppressing HIV. It requires changing treatment regimens and addressing adherence.
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Undetectable
Undetectable viral load means HIV is suppressed to undetectable levels by ART. It is the treatment goal for health and prevention.
Universal Precautions
Universal precautions are infection control practices in healthcare. They treat all blood as potentially infectious.
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Vaccine
HIV vaccine research aims to develop a vaccine to prevent HIV infection. It is challenging but ongoing with promising candidates.
Viral Load
Viral load measures HIV amount in the blood. It indicates HIV activity and treatment success or failure.
Viral Reservoirs
Viral reservoirs (HIV Reservoirs) are dormant HIV virus in cells, preventing cure. They are a target of cure research.
Viral Suppression
Viral suppression (HIV Viral Suppression) is sustained undetectable viral load on ART. It is the goal of HIV treatment.
Virologic Failure
Virologic failure (HIV Treatment Failure) is when ART fails to suppress HIV. It requires changing treatment and addressing causes.
Virus
HIV virus (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a retrovirus causing HIV infection and AIDS. It attacks the immune system.
Voluntary Counseling
Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is key for HIV services. It includes pre/post-test counseling and HIV testing.
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Western Blot
Western blot test is a confirmatory lab test for HIV antibodies. It is used to verify positive screening test results.
WHO Guidelines
WHO guidelines are global recommendations for HIV prevention, treatment, and care. They inform national HIV programs.
Window Period
Window period is the time after HIV infection before antibody tests are accurate. Testing during this time may give false negatives.
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Xenotropic Virus
Xenotropic virus is a virology term not directly relevant to human HIV. HIV is a human-specific virus.
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Youth Prevention
Youth HIV prevention focuses on strategies for young people. Education, testing, and youth-friendly services are key.
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Zero Transmission
Zero HIV transmission is the ultimate goal of HIV control. Prevention and treatment scale-up are essential to achieve it.
Zidovudine
Zidovudine (AZT) is an early ARV drug, still used in some regimens, especially for PMTCT. It is an NRTI.