Abstinence –voluntarily choosing not to have sex. AS:PR:PS
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.
AIDS Service Organization (ASO) –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. WI4
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. RC8.1, AS:PT:AH
CD4 cell or T cell –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.
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. RC5, AS:LH:CF
Fatigue –extreme tiredness. AS:PT:SS; #AL:LH:AD; #AL:LH:CF; AS:PR:AT;
Fungus –a type of organism; some can cause a serious infection. RC8.1; AS:PT:SS; RC2.3
Fusion Inhibitors (FIs) –a type of anti-HIV medication that stops HIV from entering the cells. CG4; AS:LH:SD; TH1; TH3; TH8
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. RC3.2;
Genitals –the medical term used to describe the vagina and penis. AS:TR:CO; AS:PR:TP
Gonorrhea –a bacterial infection that is transmitted by sexual contact; symptoms include inflammation and discharge from genital tissues. LH5; RC1.3
Hemophilia –an inherited disease of uncontrolled bleeding that usually affects males. This disease makes it difficult to stop bleeding following a cut or bruise. AS:OE:TL; AS:LH:CF
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." AS:LH:TH; RC; RC1.1
Hepatitis –an inflamed liver; sometimes caused by infection. RC6; RC7
Homosexual –of, relating to, or having a sexual orientation to persons of the same sex. AS:OE:TL
Heterosexual –of, relating to, or having a sexual orientation to persons of the opposite sex. AS:OE:TL; AS:OE:CF; AS:CH:BR; AS:CH:DR;
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). TH3, LH, CG4, AS:OE:TL; AS:LH:AD; AS:LH:SA;
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) –the virus that causes AIDS. CG1; AS:OE:TL; AS:PT:BI
Hypogonadism –a condition in which there are low levels or impaired production of hormones. RC4.2
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. RC8.1; CG1; CG3; AS:OE:WH; AS:OE:TL; AS:OE:TD; AS:PT:BI; AS:PT:HH;
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. TH3.3; WI7; AS:PT:HH; AS:LH:SD
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. AS:LH:TH; AS:OE:TL; AS:PT:AH
Latex –material used in condoms. WI4; WI8
Metabolic disorder –disorders that affect the ability of the body to produce energy. Examples include diabetes, lipodystrophy, wasting syndrome, and hypogonadism. RC4
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. AS:OE:TL; AS:PT:BI; AS:LH:CF; AS:LH:SQ; AS:PR:TP;
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. AS:PT:AH; AS:PSC:PD; RC; RC1.2; RC2; RC2.2
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.
Pap smear –a test that checks for abnormal, unhealthy cells in the cervix (the lowest part of the uterus) and for cervical cancer.
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.
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 –a disease 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.