|
|
Search the Glossary Terms
Alphabetical Search
Results for the alphabet(s): 'A'
AACTG
See: Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group
ACTG
See: AIDS Clinical Trials Group
ADAPs
See: AIDS Drug Assistance Programs
ADC
See: AIDS Dementia Complex
ADR
See: Adverse Drug Reaction
AE
See: Adverse Event
AETCs
See: AIDS Education and Training Centers
AHRQ
See: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
AIDS
See: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
AIDS Case Definition [En español]
See: AIDS-Defining Condition
AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) [En español]
A clinical trials network that evaluates treatments and new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of HIV infection and opportunistic diseases related to HIV/AIDS in adults.
AIDS Dementia Complex (ADC) [En español]
Also called HIV-associated dementia. A progressive mental disorder with different nervous system effects and mental symptoms. Mental symptoms may include memory loss; speech problems; inabilty to concentrate; poor judgment; or mood changes, such as depression. Nervous system effects may include behavior changes, such as not being able to perform daily tasks, and motor difficulties, such as loss of control of the legs or moving slowly or stiffly. ADC is considered an AIDS-defining condition in people with HIV.
AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) [En español]
Programs authorized under Title II of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act that operate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These programs provide HIV-related prescription drugs to underinsured and uninsured individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETCs) [En español]
A network of 15 regional centers that conduct targeted, multidisciplinary HIV education and training programs for health care providers. The mission of these centers is to increase the number of health care providers who are educated and motivated to counsel, diagnose, treat, and manage individuals with HIV infection and to assist in the prevention of high-risk behaviors that may lead to infection. AETCs are administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
AIDS Encephalopathy [En español]
Malfunction of the brain as a result of HIV infection. Can occur as part of acute HIV infection or can result from chronic HIV infection.
AIDS Service Organization (ASO) [En español]
A health association, support agency, or other service actively involved in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
AIDS-Defining Condition [En español]
Any of a list of illnesses that, when occurring in an HIV-infected person, leads to a diagnosis of AIDS, the most serious stage of HIV infection. AIDS is also diagnosed if an HIV-infected person has a CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm³, whether or not that person has an AIDS-defining condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a list of AIDS-defining conditions in 1993. The 26 conditions include candidiasis, cytomegalovirus disease, Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), mycobacterium avium complex, pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, recurrent pneumonia, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, pulmonary tuberculosis, invasive cervical cancer, and wasting syndrome.
See Also: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
AIDS-Related Cancer [En español]
A cancer that is more common or more aggressive in people with HIV. These cancers include certain types of immune system cancers (lymphomas), Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), cancers that affect the anus and the cervix, and others. Having HIV appears to play a role in the development and progression of these cancers, although people without HIV can also have them.
AIDS-Related Complex (ARC) [En español]
A group of complications that commonly occur in the early stage of HIV infection. These may include recurrent fever, unexplained weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, herpes, or fungal infection of the mouth and throat.
See Also: Acute HIV Infection
AIDSinfo [En español]
A Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) project that offers the latest federally approved information on HIV/AIDS clinical research, treatment and prevention, and medical practice guidelines for people living with HIV/AIDS, their families and friends, health care providers, scientists, and researchers. The service includes a Web site with "Live Help," a toll-free hotline (1-800-448-0440), responses to e-mail inquiries, and a variety of publications that include treatment guidelines, drug fact sheets, and fact sheets based on the guidelines. http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov
AIEDRP
See: Acute HIV Infection and Early Diseases Research Program
APC
See: Antigen-Presenting Cell
ARC
See: AIDS-Related Complex
ARS
See: Acute Retroviral Syndrome
ART
See: Antiretroviral Therapy
ARV
See: Antiretroviral
ASO
See: AIDS Service Organization
AST
See: Aspartate Aminotransferase
AUC
See: Area Under the Curve
AVN
See: Avascular Necrosis
Acquired Immunity [En español]
The body's ability to fight or prevent a specific infection. This ability can be acquired either actively (by having and recovering from an infection or by being vaccinated against an infection) or passively (by receiving antibodies from an outside source, such as breast milk or donated blood components).
See Also: Active Immunity
Passive Immunity
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) [En español]
A disease of the body's immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIDS is characterized by the death of CD4 cells (an important part of the body's immune system), which leaves the body vulnerable to life-threatening conditions, such as infections and cancers.
See Also: AIDS-Defining Condition
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Opportunistic Infection
AIDS-Related Cancer
Acquired Resistance [En español]
See: Primary Resistance
Active Immunity [En español]
Protection from a specific infection that develops after having and recovering from the infection or after being vaccinated against the infection.
See Also: Acquired Immunity
Acute HIV Infection [En español]
Also known as primary HIV infection or acute retroviral syndrome (ARS). The period of rapid HIV replication that occurs 2 to 4 weeks after infection by HIV. Acute HIV infection is characterized by a drop in CD4 cell counts and an increase in HIV levels in the blood. Some, but not all, individuals experience flu-like symptoms during this period of infection. These symptoms, collectively known as AIDS-Related Complex, can include fever, inflamed lymph nodes, sore throat, and rash. These symptoms may last from a few days to 4 weeks and then go away.
See Also: AIDS-Related Complex
Acute HIV Infection and Early Diseases Research Program (AIEDRP) [En español]
A program funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to conduct research with people who have been recently infected with HIV. This research is aimed at understanding how HIV infects humans and how the disease progresses to AIDS. Scientists believe that events that occur during acute and early infection may determine the ultimate course of the disease.
Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS) [En español]
See: Acute HIV Infection
Adenopathy [En español]
See: Lymphadenopathy Syndrome
Adenovirus [En español]
A type of virus that commonly causes respiratory tract and eye infections. Adenovirus-based vaccines are being studied as a potential way of introducing viral particles that may stimulate an immune response against HIV, thereby preventing or treating HIV infection.
See Also: Retrovirus
Preventive HIV Vaccine
Adherence [En español]
Closely following (adhering to) a prescribed treatment regimen. Requires a patient to take the correct dose of a drug at the correct time, exactly as prescribed. Failure to adhere to an anti-HIV treatment regimen can lead to virologic failure and drug resistance.
See Also: Virologic Failure
Drug Resistance
Adjuvant [En español]
Substance added to a drug that enhances or modifies the original drug. Also refers to a substance added to a vaccine to improve the body's immune response to that vaccine.flo
Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group (AACTG) [En español]
A large clinical trial organization that conducts clinical research to test treatment and prevention strategies for adult HIV infection and AIDS. The AACTG is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
See Also: Clinical Trial
Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) [En español]
Any drug effect that is unwanted, unpleasant, or potentially harmful. These effects may be mild and may disappear when the drug is stopped or may subside as the body adjusts to the drug. Other ADRs, such as skin rashes, anemia, or organ damage, are more serious. ADRs may be assigned grades of 1 (mild) to 4 (serious) to describe the strength of the reaction.
See Also: Side Effect
Adverse Effect [En español]
See: Adverse Event
Adverse Event (AE) [En español]
Any unfavorable and unintended sign (i.e., an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease associated usually in relation to timing, with the use of a drug or other intervention, whether or not the event is considered related to this product.
See Also: Adverse Drug Reaction
Agammaglobulinemia [En español]
Absence or low levels of antibodies in the blood. This condition leaves a person vulnerable to infections.
See Also: Antibody
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) [En español]
An agency of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that sponsors and conducts research on health care results, quality, cost, use, and access.
Alanine Transaminase [En español]
See: Liver Function Tests
Alkaline Phosphatase [En español]
An enzyme normally present in certain cells within the liver, bone, kidney, intestine, and placenta. When cells are destroyed in those tissues, the enzyme leaks into the blood, and levels rise in proportion to the severity of the condition. Measurement of this enzyme is one way to evaluate the health of the liver.
Amino Acid [En español]
A building block the body uses to make proteins.
See Also: Protein
Anaphylaxis [En español]
Also called anaphylactic shock. A rare but life-threatening, wholebody allergic reaction. Symptoms may appear quickly and include difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat or other parts of the body, rapid drop in blood pressure, dizziness, or unconsciousness. Anaphylaxis can be triggered by foods, drugs, insect stings, or exertion, depending on an individual's sensitivity.
Anemia [En español]
A lower than normal number of red blood cells. Symptoms may include fatigue, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
Anorexia [En español]
Lack or loss of appetite.
Antagonism [En español]
See: Drug Antagonism
Antenatal [En español]
See: Prenatal
Antepartum [En español]
The time period before childbirth (refers to the mother).
Antibiotic [En español]
A natural or man-made substance that can kill or stop the growth of micro-organisms, such as bacteria or fungi, that can cause infections.
Antibody [En español]
Also known as immunoglobulin. A protein produced by the body's immune system to recognize and fight infectious organisms and other foreign substances that enter the body. Each antibody is specific to a particular piece of an infectious organism or other foreign substance. Antibodies develop after the first exposure to a substance.
See Also: Antigen
Antifungal [En español]
A natural or man-made substance that can kill or stop the growth of a fungus.
Antigen [En español]
Any substance considered foreign to the body that can stimulate the body to produce antibodies against it. Antigens include bacteria, viruses, and allergens such as pollen.
See Also: Antibody
Antigen-Presenting Cell (APC) [En español]
A type of cell that collects foreign materials (antigens), digests them into small pieces, and displays or presents the pieces on its surface. Other cells of the immune system recognize these pieces and become activated to fight the foreign invader. APCs include B lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells.
See Also: B Lymphocyte
Macrophage
Dendritic Cell
Antigen
Antineoplastic [En español]
A natural or man-made substance that can kill or stop the growth or spread of cancer cells.
Antiprotozoal [En español]
A natural or man-made substance that can kill or stop the growth of single-celled micro-organisms called protozoa.
Antiretroviral (ARV) [En español]
A drug that interferes with the ability of a retrovirus, such as HIV, to make more copies of itself.
See Also: Antiretroviral Therapy
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Retrovirus
Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry [En español]
An ongoing project to collect observational, nonexperimental information about the use of antiretrovirals during pregnancy. Information from the registry is used to help health care providers and patients weigh the potential risks and benefits of treatment during pregnancy. The registry does not use patient names, and registry staff obtain information from the patients' physicians. http://www.APRegistry.com
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) [En español]
Treatment with drugs that inhibit the ability of retroviruses, such as HIV, to multiply in the body. The antiretroviral therapy recommended for HIV infection is referred to as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which uses a combination of drugs to attack HIV at different points in its life cycle.
See Also: Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Retrovirus
Antisense Drug [En español]
A man-made segment of DNA or RNA that can lock onto a strand of DNA or RNA from a virus or other micro-organism. This marks the organism's genetic instructions for destruction and prevents the organism from making more copies of itself.
See Also: Deoxyribonucleic Acid
Ribonucleic Acid
Antiviral [En español]
A natural or manmade substance that can kill or stop the growth of a virus.
Aphthous Ulcer [En español]
A painful shallow sore in the mouth. The sore is usually oval shaped, with a yellow-white center surrounded by a narrow red ring. Aphthous ulcers are 1/8- to 1/4-inch across and have no blisters. They occur on the soft surfaces of the mouth, such as the inner cheeks, inner lips, soft areas of the roof and floor of the mouth, tongue, gums, and throat.
Apoptosis [En español]
The deliberate, programmed death of a cell. Apoptosis occurs as a normal part of life and helps the body stay healthy. If cells are damaged (for example, cancerous cells or cells infected with HIV), the body orders those cells to die in order to contain the disease.
Approved Drug [En español]
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must approve a drug before it can be marketed and sold to the public. The approval process involves several steps, including laboratory and animal studies, clinical trials for safety and efficacy, filing of a New Drug Application (NDA) by the manufacturer of the drug, FDA review of the application, and FDA approval/rejection of the application.
See Also: New Drug Application
Area Under the Curve (AUC) [En español]
A measure of how much drug reaches a person's bloodstream in a given period of time (usually the time between each dose or within 24 hours of a dose). The AUC is calculated by plotting the drug's blood levels on a graph at different times during the set period to form a curve. The area under this curve reflects the total drug exposure in the set time period.
Arm [En español]
Any of the treatment groups in a clinical trial. Most clinical trials have two arms, but some have three or even more. Each arm receives a different treatment or placebo.
See Also: Clinical Trial
Placebo
Arthralgia [En español]
Joint pain with additional symptoms such as heat, redness, tenderness to touch, loss of motion, or swelling.
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) [En español]
See: Liver Function Tests
Aspergillosis [En español]
An infection of the lungs caused by the fungus Aspergillus. The infection may also spread through the blood to other organs. Symptoms include fever, chills, difficulty in breathing, and coughing up blood. If the infection reaches the brain, it may cause dementia.
Asymptomatic [En español]
Having no obvious signs or symptoms of disease.
Ataxia [En español]
Partial or complete loss of coordination of voluntary muscular movements. This can interfere with a person's ability to walk, talk, eat, and perform other tasks of daily living.
Atherosclerosis [En español]
A condition that results from the gradual buildup of fatty substances, including cholesterol, on artery walls. Use of PIs may increase cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis. However, a recent study has shown that long-term HAART may actually decrease the risk of atherosclerosis.
See Also: Cholesterol
Attachment Inhibitor [En español]
Class of anti-HIV drugs that prevents the virus from attaching to a new, healthy host cell, thus preventing cell infection.
See Also: Entry Inhibitor
Attenuated [En español]
A term used to describe a bacterium or virus that has been changed in the laboratory so that it is not harmful to people. Attenuated viruses are often used as vaccines, because they can no longer cause disease but can still stimulate a strong immune response. Examples include the vaccines against polio (Sabin oral vaccine), measles, mumps, and rubella.
Autoantibody [En español]
An antibody directed against the body's own tissue.
See Also: Antibody
Avascular Necrosis (AVN) [En español]
Death of bone (also known as osteonecrosis) caused by a loss of blood supply to the bone tissue. AVN has occurred in the hip bones of some people with HIV, but it is not clear if bone death occurs because of HIV infection itself or as a side effect of anti-HIV drugs. Symptoms include pain in the affected area of the body, limited range of motion, joint stiffness, limping, and muscle spasms. If untreated, AVN can cause progressive bone damage that leads to bone collapse.
See Also: Osteonecrosis
|