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Glossary
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A Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): A result of human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which makes the immune system
less able to fight infection.
AIDS: See acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
AIDS clinical trial groups: Federally funded, randomized clinical
trials for new AIDS drugs directed by the National Institutes of Health
(NIH).
AIDS-related complex (ARC): An outdated term used to describe
symptoms of infection in people with HIV who had not yet developed AIDS.
Alternative therapies: Non medical approaches that some people
believe to be effective in treating HIV infection, including acupuncture,
visualization, crystals, natural products, and macrobiotics,
Ambiguous test results: Results that are neither clearly negative
nor clearly positive. Used here to describe HIV antibody test results in
which the ETA shows the presence of HIV antibodies but the Western blot
does not. To allow detectable antibodies to develop, a person whose test
results are ambiguous should be retested within three months of possible
exposure to HIV. The average time needed to detect HIV antibodies is 25
days.
Anal sex (also anal intercourse): Penetration of the anus by
the penis or other objects.
Anonymous testing: Testing in which no information that identifies
a person is recorded. Only the person tested can obtain the results.
Antibody: A substance in the blood that forms when disease agents
such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites invade the body. Although
antibodies usually defend the body against invading disease agents, HP!
antibodies, over time, give no such protection.
Antibody-negative test result: Used here to describe the results
of a test in which no signs of antibodies to HIV are detected in the blood
or in fluids from the mouth. Either the person does not have HIV or became
infected with HIV too recently to have detectable antibodies.
Antibody-positive test result: Used here to describe the results
of a test in which antibodies to HIV are detected in the blood or in fluids
from the mouth. A person is assumed to be infected with HIV if the results
of both the EIA and Western blot tests are positive.
Antigen test: A blood test that looks for a part of HIV rather
than for antibodies to HIV. For a short period of time, this test detects
HIV in people who were recently infected but do not yet have detectable
antibodies. To further protect the blood supply, the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) added this test in 1996, as an interim measure, to the tests for
HIV antibodies in place since 1985.
Antiviral drugs: Drugs that slow the pace of HIV infection by
suppressing the ability of HIV to replicate.
ARC: See AIDS-related complex.
Autologous blood donation: Blood that people donate for their
own use, usually for non-emergency surgery.
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B
Bacteria: Microscopic organisms that can cause disease.
Bacterial infections: Diseases that bacteria cause, such as syphilis.
Most respond to antibiotic treatment.
B-cell: A type of white blood cell that makes antibodies against
germs that have invaded the body.
Bisexual: A person who has sexual partners of the same sex and
of the opposite sex.
Blood borne disease: An infection carried in the bloodstream,
such as HIV infection and hepatitis B infection.
Blood clotting factors: Substances in the blood that cause it
to thicken. Used to treat hemophilia.
Blood components: Parts of the blood, including formed elements
(white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets) and liquid (plasma),
that contain proteins used to make clotting factors.
Blood-to-blood contact: The mixing together of blood from two
or more people. The primary ways HIV is spread through blood-to-blood contact
are the use of shared needles and syringes; blood transfusions, receipt
of blood components or dotting factors, and organ transplants (all rare
since 1985); and transmission from mother to child during birth.
Body defenses; See immune system.
Body substance isolation: Guidelines that protect health care
workers and patients from exposure to HIV, hepatitis B, and other blood
borne germs, as well as germs spread in other ways.
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C
Candidiasis: A fungal infection that occurs in several places
in the body, including in the mouth or throat (thrush), in the vagina (yeast
infections), or on the skin. A common opportunistic infection in people
with AIDS.
Casual contact: Ordinary social contact, such as being around
someone; sharing utensils, office space, bathrooms, phones, and swimming
pools; shaking hands; and kissing on the cheek. People cannot get HIV from
casual contact.
CD4+ cell: See T-cell.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): A federal disease
prevention agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, that provides national laboratory and health and safety guidelines
and recommendations; tracks diseases throughout the world; and performs
basic research involving laboratory, behavioral science, epidemiology,
and other studies of diseases.
Chlamydia: A sexually transmitted disease (STD) that may cause
a discharge from the penis or vagina, painful urination, spotting of blood
after sex (in women only), and lower abdominal pain.
Chronic: Used here to describe a prolonged, lingering, or recurring
state of disease.
CMV: See cytomegalovirus infection.
Combination therapy: Treatments, sometimes called “drug cocktails,”
involving a combination of three antiviral drugs that can dramatically
inhibit HIV replication.
Condom: A sheath, made of latex, polyurethane, or lamb intestine
that fits over an erect penis. ‘When used correctly and consistently, latex
condoms have been shown to greatly reduce the risk of HIV infection. Female
condoms are also available to use when male condoms cannot be used.
Confidential testing: Testing in which results are recorded,
but are not given out without permission of the person tested, except as
required by state law.
Confidentiality: Used here to describe keeping medical information
confidential or private.
Connective tissue: Tissue that supports and binds other tissues
and organs. Frequently the site of Kaposi’s sarcoma lesions in people with
AIDS.
Contaminated needles: Needles that have been used by someone
and not properly cleaned. People can become infected with HIV by using
a needle and syringe that contains blood from a person who has HIV.
Crack A form of cocaine that is smoked.
Crack house: A place where crack is bought and used.
Cryptococcosis: A fungal infection that can cause pneumonia or
meningitis with inflammation of the brain.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection: A viral infection that may occur
without symptoms or that may cause mild flu-like symptoms. A common opportunistic
infection among people with AIDS, which can cause blindness.
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D
Dendritic cells: A type of white blood cell essential to the
body’s immune system. These cells carry germs from the point of infection
to the lymph nodes and trigger T-cell response to fight infection.
Dental dams: Made for dentistry, some people use these during
oral sex as a barrier between a person’s mouth and a partner’s vagina or
anus. No scientific studies have been done on their use in this way.
Designated blood donation: Blood donated by a family member or
friend for a specific person’s use.
Developed immunity: Protection the body develops against infection
by a particular germ. Scientists consider it unlikely for a person to develop
immunity to HIV.
Disinfectant: A chemical that destroys germs. An example is liquid
chlorine bleach, which can be used to clean needles and syringes so that
they are less likely to spread HIV if they are shared.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): The chain of molecules in genes,
which carries genetic information that helps cells reproduce. DNA is the
main ingredient of chromosomes, which transmit genetic information.
Dot-blot immunobinding assay: A rapid-screening blood test that
is cost-effective and may become an alternative to conventional EJA and
Western blot testing.
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E
EIA (enzyme immunoassay): A standard test used to detect the
presence of HIV. ‘When an ETA detects antibodies to HIV, the result must
be confirmed by the Western blot test or immunofluorescence assay (IFA)
before a person is considered to have HIV. Formerly referred to as ELISA.
Ejaculate: To eject semen; the semen released by ejaculation
during orgasm.
Elisa See EJA.
Enzyme: A cellular protein that acts as a catalyst to induce
chemical changes or reactions in other substances, with little expenditure
of energy~ The enzyme remains unchanged by the process.
Experimental drug: A drug in the process of scientific testing
but not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for general
use.
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F
False-negative test result: Used here to describe the results
of a test for HIV antibodies that do not show the presence of HIV even
though the sample of blood or fluid from the mouth contains the virus.
Usually found in people who were recently infected with HIV but who do
not yet have detectable antibodies.
False-positive test result: Used here to describe the results
of a test for HIV antibodies that do show the presence of HIV even though
the sample of blood or fluid from the mouth does not contain HIV.
FDA: See Food and Drug Administration.
Female condom: A tube made of polyurethane, with a ring at each
end, that lines the vagina and covers part of the labia. Although research
on its effectiveness against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including
HIV infection is encouraging, further study is needed.
Finger: To insert the finger into the vagina or anus. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): A federal agency with several
regulatory functions, including testing and approving new drugs before
they are made available to the public.
Fungi: A type of microscopic germ, including yeast and mold.
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G
Gay: Being romantically or sexually attracted to people of one’s
own sex.
Genetic: Refers to the gene, a part of a chromosome, which controls
heredity. Genes determine how people function and what traits they pass
on to their children.
Genital contact: Contact between the sexual organs of people.
Genital warts: A sexually transmitted disease (STD), caused by
human papilloma virus that may cause warts on the outside of the genitals,
anus, or mouth.
Genome: Used here to refer to the genetic information of HIV
and other viruses.
Germs: Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites that carry infection.
Gonorrhea: A sexually transmitted disease (STD) that may cause
a discharge from the penis or vagina, painful urination, spotting of blood
after sex (in women only), and lower abdominal pain.
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H
Hemophilia: A hereditary blood disorder that prevents blood from
clotting properly.
Hepatitis B: A virus that attacks the liver and is transmitted
through blood-to-blood and sexual contact.
Herpes: Short for herpes simplex viruses, which cause painful,
fluid-filled blisters around the mouth or genitals. A common infection
in people with AIDS.
Heterosexual: Being romantically or sexually attracted to people
of the opposite sex.
HIV: See human immunodeficiency virus.
HIVNET: A program that conducts large-scale clinical trials on
HIV vaccines and other prevention strategies in the United States and elsewhere.
Homosexual: See gay.
Host: Used here to describe where a germ lives. For example,
a person who has HIV is the host for the virus.
Household contact: Everyday casual contact among members of a
household.
HTLV-III: See human T-cell lymphotropic virus-Ill.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): The virus that causes AIDS.
HIV weakens several body systems and destroys the body’s immune system,
making it easier for life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers
to invade the
body.
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus-Ill (HTLV-III): An earlier term
for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS.
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I
Immune: The state of being protected from disease.
Immune system: A system of the body that helps it resist germs.
Immunization: A method to trigger the body’s defenses against
diseases, such as rubella and polio.
Immunofluorescence assay (IFA): A blood test that detects antibodies
to HIV. Used to confirm ETA results.
Immunoglobulin: A class of antibodies that protects the body
against germs. Commonly used to treat children with AIDS.
Incidence: The number or rate of new cases of a disease over
a period of time.
Incubation: Used here to describe the period from the point of
infection with HIV to the onset of symptoms of AIDS. Indeterminate test
results: See ambiguous test results.
Infectious disease: A disease that is caused by or can be transmitted
by germs. Not all diseases are highly contagious
(easily transmitted to other people). For example, HIV is highly infectious,
but it is not easily or casually transmitted.
Injection drug use: The use of a needle and syringe to inject
drugs into the body. W drug use: See injection drug use.
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J
Jack off: A street term used for male masturbation of the penis.
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K
Kaposi’s sarcoma: A cancer that usually involves the skin, mucous
membranes, and lymph nodes. Ordinarily appearing first on the legs or arms,
this disease affects people with AIDS more than it does other people.
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L
LAY: See lymphadenopathy-associated virus.
Lesbian: A woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to
other women.
Lesion: An abnormal change in the tissue or structure of an organ
or body part due to injury or disease.
Long-term nonprogressors: Used here to describe people with HIV
whose bodies have effectively resisted HIV for more than seven years.
Lubricant: Used here to describe a substance used to reduce friction
during sex.
Lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV): An earlier name for human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS.
Lymph glands: Glands in the groin, neck, armpits, and other parts
of the body that contain large numbers of lymphocytes that help fight infection.
Lymphocytes: Certain types of white blood cells—T-cells and B-cells—essential
to the function of the immune system.
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M
Macrophage: A type of white blood cell that surrounds and devours
infected cells, germs, and dead material. See monocyte.
Mandatory testing: Required testing of a population or group
of people. Traditionally used only for diseases that have cures or effective
treatments.
Masturbation: Massaging one’s own genitals, often to the point
of orgasm.
Medicaid: A federal and state health insurance program that pays
certain medical expenses for people whose incomes fall below the poverty
level, as set by each state.
Medicare: A federal health insurance program that pays certain
medical expenses for people who are disabled, 65 or older, or have chronic
kidney disease.
Meningitis: Infection and inflammation of the membranes that
cover the brain and spinal cord. Monocyte: A young macrophage, a type of
white blood cell. See macrophage.
Monogamy: Having sex with only one partner. Describes an HIV
prevention strategy in which two people, who do not have HIV or inject
drugs, have sex only with each other over a period of time.
Motor function: The ability to move. People with AIDS often become
less able to perform certain tasks or movements because they have become
weak or because HIV has affected their nervous systems.
Mucous membrane: A lining or membrane of all body passages that
have an outside opening, such as the mouth and
vagina. The glands in the mucous membrane produce mucus.
Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis: A form of tuberculosis (TB)
that occurs when TB becomes resistant to the drugs used to treat it.
Mutual masturbation: Massaging a partner’s genitals. Often to
the point of orgasm. See masturbation.
Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC): A disease caused by mycobacteria.
Appears in people whose immune systems are badly damaged and causes fever,
weight loss, weakness, and sometimes diarrhea.
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N
National Institutes of Health (NIH): An agency of the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services that supports and conducts biomedical and
health research, trains scientists and doctors, and writes and publishes
scientific and medical reports.
Natural condoms: Condoms made from the intestinal lining of sheep.
Adequate for birth control, but not for disease prevention.
Needle exchanges: Programs that provide injection drug users
with new, sterile needles and syringes to reduce the spread of HIV from
shared equipment. Research has shown that these controversial programs
do not increase drug use or reduce demand for drug treatment.
Needle stick (also needle stab, needle jab): A needle puncture
of the skin, usually accidental. A very infrequent way that health care
workers become infected with HIV on the job.
Negative test results: Used here to describe results of a test
in which no signs of HIV are detected.
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor: A type of antiviral
drug that blocks HIV replication by binding with reverse transcriptase,
a viral protein.
Nonoxynol-9: A chemical (spermicide) used in some contraceptive
creams, foams, and jellies that kill sperm and that may kill viruses.
Nucleoside analogue: A type of antiviral drug that suppresses
replication of HIV by interfering with the construction of a chain of DNA
as HIV infects a new cell.
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O
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): A federal
agency responsible for protecting the safety and health of workers through
regulations, including those on occupational exposure to blood borne germs.
Opportunistic infections: A variety of infections, such as Pneumocyszis
carinii pneumonia, that occur in people whose immune systems are weak for
various reasons, including disease, such as HIV infection.
Oral sex: Contact of the mouth or tongue with a partner’s penis,
vagina, or anus.
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P
p24 antigen capture assay See antigen test.
p24 antigen test: See antigen test.
Parallel track A program to make experimental drugs more widely
available to people who have advanced HIV infection and who have no other
drug alternatives.
Parasite: An organism that relies on another organism for survival.
Parenteral transmission of HW: The injection of HIV into the
body, most commonly through HIV-contaminated needles and syringes.
Partner notification: The process of letting sex and needle-sharing
partners of an HI V-infected person know that they may be at risk of having
HIV.
Perinatal transmission of HW: Term used to describe the spread
of HIV from a mother to her baby before or during birth.
Placenta: A blood-filled organ that serves as a source of nutrition
for the baby during pregnancy. HIV may spread across the placenta from
a mother with HIV to her baby.
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: A form of pneumonia, which is
caused by a fungus, which rarely affects people with fully functioning
immune systems. Still the most common opportunistic infection among people
with AIDS in the United States.
Pneumonia: An infection of the lungs.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test: A test that detects HIV
by looking for the genetic information of the virus. This test can find
HIV even if it is present in very small amounts or hidden inside white
blood cells.
Positive test results: Used here to describe results of a test
in which signs of HIV are detected. A person with a positive test result
is assumed to be infected with HIV and able to infect others.
Post-exposure prophylaxis: Used here to describe treatment taken
as a precaution against HIV infection after a person has been exposed to
HIV, usually on the job.
Prevalence: Total number of cases of a disease in a population
over a period of time.
Protease inhibitors: A new class of antiviral drugs. These drugs
suppress HIV by blocking infected cells from making copies of HIV, which
are capable of infecting other cells.
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Q
Quarantine: Isolation of a person with a contagious disease.
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R
Radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA): A confirmatory blood test
used when antibody levels are very low or difficult to detect or when Western
blot test results are ambiguous.
Rapid latex agglutination assay A simple, inexpensive blood test
that may prove useful in medically disadvantaged areas that have a high
incidence of HIV infection.
Replicate: Used here to describe the ability of HIV to make copies
of itself.
Risk behavior: Used here to describe activities that put people
at increased risk of getting HIV.
Risk group: For statistical purposes, a collection of people
thought to have something in common that puts them at risk of getting a
disease.
RNA (ribonucleic acid): A nucleic acid found in the contents
of a cell surrounding the nucleus. Some retroviruses, such as HP!, carry
RNA instead of the more usual DNA.
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S
Safer sex: Sexual practices that involve no exchange of blood,
semen, or vaginal fluid.
Semen: Whitish fluid containing sperm and white blood cells,
which is ejaculated from the penis during orgasm. HIV can be spread through
semen that is infected.
Seroconversion: Used here to describe the change from an absence
of antibodies to HIV in the blood to the presence of HIV antibodies in
the blood of an HIV-infected person.
Sex (also sexual intercourse): Genital contact between individuals
and contact with a partner’s vagina, penis, or anus.
Sexual orientation: The sexual attraction people feel for others,
whether of their own sex, the opposite sex, or both sexes.
Sexually transmitted disease (STD): A disease that spreads during
sex, through genital contact between people, such as gonorrhea, syphilis,
herpes, and HIV infection.
Shingles: An inflammation of nerve endings caused by the virus
that causes chicken pox. An opportunistic infection common among people
with AIDS.
Shooting galleries: Used here to describe places where drugs,
particularly injection drugs, are sold and used.
SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus): A virus similar to HIV that
infects monkeys and other primates in West and Central Africa.
Speedball: Heroin mixed with amphetamines (speed) or cocaine.
Sperm bank: A storage facility for sperm used in artificial insemination.
Spermicide: A chemical (for example, nonoxynol-9) usually found
in the form of a foam, cream, or jelly that kills sperm on contact.
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): Insurance provided
by the federal government to people who become disabled. The amount of
payment is determined by the amount of money a person has paid into the
Social Security system.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income): A Social Security program
for people who are disabled, elderly, or blind. Some benefits or temporary
benefits under this program may be available to people with HIV.
Standard precautions: Guidelines that combine universal precautions
and body substance isolation procedures in hospitals.
STD: See sexually transmitted disease.
Stigma: A mark of shame or discredit, whether visible or not,
that sets people apart from others.
Syndrome: Used here to describe a group of related medical problems
or symptoms.
Syphilis: A sexually transmitted disease (STD) that causes sores
on the genitals and, if untreated, can lead to heart and brain damage
Systemic herpes: A sexually transmitted disease (STD) that causes
sores especially on the genitals, in the anus, and in the mouth, which
heal very slowly.
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T
T-cell: A type of white blood cell essential to the body’s immune
system. Helps regulate the immune system and control B-cell and macrophage
functions.
T-cell count (CD4+): A marker that measures the effect of HIV
infection on a person’s immune system. Terry Beirn Community Programs for
Clinical Research on AIDS: Community-based programs in which physicians
do research on HIV infection in areas where clinical trials are not usually
available.
Test sensitivity: The likelihood that HI V-infected people will
test positive for the virus.
Test specificity: The likelihood that people who are not infected
with HIV will test negative for the virus.
T-helper cell: See T-cell.
Thrush: See Candidiasis.
T-lymphocyte: See T-cell.
Transfusion: The use of donated blood in a medical procedure.
Transplant: The transfer of an organ or tissue from one person
to another.
Treatment Investigational New Drug (IND) Program: Gives patients
with life-threatening illnesses access to experimental drugs and vaccines.
Trichomonas: A sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can
cause a discharge from the penis or vagina, pain when urinating and when
having sex, or itching.
Tuberculosis (TB): A contagious disease that primarily affects
the lungs. Common among people with AIDS.
Tuskegee Study A syphilis study begun in the 1930s by the Public
Health Service in which African American men were never told they had syphilis
nor were treated with antibiotics when these became available.
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U
Universal precautions: Guidelines used by health care providers
to help protect them against blood borne germs, such as HIV infection.
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V
Vaccine: A substance made from modified or denatured viruses
or bacteria that helps protect people against a particular disease.
Vaginal fluid: Fluid that provides moisture and lubrication in
the vagina. Vaginal fluid of an HI V-infected woman can spread HIV.
Vaginal sex (also vagina! intercourse): Sex in which the vagina
is penetrated; for example, by a penis or sex toy.
Viral load: The amount of HIV RNA in the blood. As viral load
increases, the chance of illness increases.
Viral load test: A marker that measures the amount of HIV RNA
in the blood. Used by doctors to help make decisions about treatment. The
lower the viral load, the longer a person with HIV has before developing
AIDS and the longer his or her survival time.
Virus: A germ, much smaller than a bacterium, whose survival
depends on cells in the host. A virus, such as HIV, often destroys these
cells.
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W
Wasting syndrome: The extreme weight loss (more than 10 percent
of body weight) that often affects people with AIDS.
Western blot: A blood test that detects antibodies to HIV. Used
to confirm EIA results.
White blood cells: A type of blood cell, such as a T-cell, B-cell,
macrophage, and monocyte, whose primary function is to fight infection.
‘White blood cells are the main target of HIV.
Works: Used here to describe needles, syringes, and other equipment
used to “cook” or prepare and inject street drugs.
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