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Acute Infection: Any infection that begins suddenly, with intense or severe symptoms, is called acute. If the illness lasts more than a couple of weeks, it is called chronic.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome): A disease caused by a retrovirus, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), and characterized by failure of the immune system to protect against infections and certain cancers.
AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG): A set of about 50 research centers around the country where federally funded drug trials are conducted.
AIDS-Related Complex: (ARC) A condition caused by HIV in which the person is positive for HIV and has clinical symptoms not generally as severe as those of AIDS.
Amphotericin B: A drug used to treat fungal infections, including candidiasis (thrush).
Antibiotic: A drug used to combat bacterial infection by killing bacteria or slowing their growth.
Antibody: A substance in the blood formed in response to invading disease agents such as viruses, fungi, bacteria, and parasites. Usually antibodies defend the body against invading disease agents, however, the HIV antibody does not give such protection.
Antibodies: Proteins produced by plasma cells in response to a specific foreign organism. These proteins in the blood tag, destroy, or neutralize bacteria, viruses, or other harmful toxins.
Antigen: An invading substance that may be the target of antibodies.
Antiviral: A substance that stops or suppresses the activity of a virus.
Antiretroviral: A treatment that may prevent HIV from damaging the immune system.
Asymptomatic: Having no signs or symptoms of a disease, yet able to transmit the causative agent.
AZT: SeeZidovudine. BClick here to return to list
Bacteria: Microscopic organisms that can cause disease.
Bactrim: (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole). Also known as Septra. An antibacterial agent used to treat pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, among other diseases.
B-Cell: A white blood cell that makes antibodies against disease agents in the body. CClick here to return to list
Candidiasis: A fungal infection which occurs in several places in the body, including the mouth or throat (thrush), in the vagina, or on the skin; a common opportunistic infection in people with HIV.
CD4 (T4): A protein receptor embedded in the cell surface of T-lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages, Langerhans cells, astrocytes, keratinocytes, and glial cells. HIV invades cells by first attaching to the CD4 receptor molecules.
Centers for Disease Control: (CDC) Federal health agency that is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; provides national health and safety guidelines and statistical data on AIDS and other diseases.
CMV: (Cytomegalovirus) A virus related to the herpes family. CMV may occur without any symptoms or may result in mild flu-like symptoms. Severe infections can result in retinitis, hepatitis, mononucleosis, colitis, or pneumonia in persons with HIV. CMV is shed in body fluids such as urine, semen, saliva, feces, and sweat.
Cryptococcus: A fungal infection rarely seen in healthy persons but common in persons with HIV. Is acquired via the respiratory tract and characteristically spreads to the meninges (lining of the brain and spinal cord) and may also infect the kidneys and skin.
Cryptosporidiosis: An infection caused by a protozoan parasite found in the intestines of animals: it may be transmitted to humans by direct contact with an infected animal or by ingestion of contaminated food or water. The parasite grows in the intestine and causes severe chronic diarrhea in persons with HIV.
Cytokine: A chemical messenger secreted by immune cells to regulate immune activity.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV): A virus related to the herpes family that can cause fever, fatigue, enAWTxtBold d lymph glands, aching, and a mild sore throat. In AIDS, CMV infections can produce hepatitis, pneumonia, retinitis, and colitis. It can sometimes lead to blindness, chronic diarrhea, and death. DClick here to return to list
ddC: (dideoxycytidine) A drug that inhibits HIV through inhibition of reverse transcription.
ddI: (dideoxyinosine) A drug that inhibits HIV through inhibition of reverse transcription.
DNA: (deoxyribonucleic acid) A complex protein that carries genetic information. HIV can insert itself into the DNA molecules inside human cells and establish dormant infection. EClick here to return to list
ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): A blood test used to detect the presence of antibodies to HIV; results that show the presence of HIV antibodies must be confirmed by the Western Blot test before a person is considered to be HIV-infected. Has high degree of sensitivity (accurate for detecting true positive samples).
Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain, frequently caused by a viral infection.
Esophageal Candidiasis: Serious fungal infection in the conduit between the mouth and the stomach (the esophagus). FClick here to return to list
Factor VIII: One of the clotting factors in the blood. Congenital absence of Factor VIII results in hemophilia A.
Fungus: A general term used to denote a class of microbes including mushrooms, yeasts, and molds. GClick here to return to list
Ganciclovir (DHPG): A drug used to treat cytomegalovirus infection.
Genome: The DNA that comprises the complete genetic composition of an organism.
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Hairy Leukoplakia: A whitish, slightly raised lesion that appears on the side of the tongue. Thought to be related to Epstein-Barr Virus infection.
Half-Life: The amount of time it takes for half of a dose of any drug to be eliminated from the body.
Helper-Suppressor Ratio: The ratio of "helper" T4 cells to "suppressor" T8 cells. The T4/T8 ratio is normally about 2, but in HIV-infected persons the ratio frequently drops below 1.
Hemophilia: An inherited disease that prevents the normal clotting of blood.
Hepatitis B: A viral infection that affects the liver and is transmitted only through blood-to-blood and sexual contact.
Herpes Virus: A family of viruses that cause herpes simplex (cold sores), herpes zoster (shingles), Epstein-Barr (infectious mononucleosis), and cytomegalovirus. These viruses tend to occur in a severe form in an immunocompromised person, such as one with HIV.
Histoplasmosis: A fungal respiratory disease.
HTLV-III: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus, type III. An earlier term for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): HIV is the virus that causes the Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome(AIDS). HIV attacks and slowly destroys the immune system by entering and destroying the cells that control and support the immune response system. After a long period of infection, usually 3-7 years, enough of the immune system cells have been destroyed to lead to immune deficiency. The virus can therefore be present in the body for several years before symptoms appear. When a person is immuno deficient, the body has difficulty defending itself against many infections and certain cancers, known as “opportunistic infections”.
It is possible to monitor the development and degree of immuno deficiency, and while the impacts of the disease can be mitigated with proper treatment, there is no cure for AIDS once a person is infected with HIV.
There are three main ways in which HIV is transmitted among people:
(i) By sexual contact
(ii) When infected blood is passed into the body (e.g., through blood transfusion or use of non-sterilized material)
(iii) From an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Type 1 (HIV-1): The retrovirus recognized as the etiologic agent of AIDS.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Type 2 (HIV-2): A virus very similar to HIV-1 that has been found to cause immune suppression. HIV-2 infections are found primarily in Africa. IClick here to return to list
IL-2: A substance made by the immune system to fight off viruses and bacteria, called interleukin-2.
Immunocompetent: Capable of developing an immune response.
Immunocompromised: A state when the body's immune system defenses are lowered and the body is less able to resist infections and tumors.
Immunomodulator: A treatment that may help rebuild a damaged immune system.
Immunosuppressed: A state of the body in which the immune system defenses have been suppressed.
Interferon: A substance secreted by an infected cell which strengthens the defenses of nearby cells that are not yet infected. These substances are named differently according to their activity (interferon alpha, interferon gamma, etc.), and some have been manufactured into immune- modulating drugs. JClick here to return to list KClick here to return to list
Kaposi's Sarcoma: A tumor of the blood-vessel wall or the lymphatic system: it usually appears as pink to purple, painless spots on the skin but may also occur internally in addition to or independent of cutaneous lesions. A form of skin cancer, recognized as raised non tender red or purplish spots on the skin. It may also occur internally (in the stomach, lungs, etc.) in addition to, or independent of, skin lesions. LClick here to return to list
LAS (Lymphadenopathy Syndrome): Persistent swelling of lymph nodes associated with chronic infection. Also known as GLS (generalized lymphadenopathy syndrome) or PGL (persistent generalized lymphadenopathy).
Leukocytes: All white blood cells.
Lymph Nodes: A small collection of tissue that contain T-cells and B-cells; essential to the function of the immune system. MClick here to return to list
Macrophage: A scavenger cell specializing in the ingestion and processing of AWTxtBold particulate matter, especially harmful bacteria. Macrophages are susceptible to infection by HIV and may serve as reservoirs for HIV.
Malabsorption Syndrome: Decreased intestinal absorption resulting in loss of appetite, muscle pain, and weight loss.
Meningitis: Infection and inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and the spinal cord.
Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC): A serious opportunistic infection that causes symptoms including night sweats, high fever, cough, weight loss, general fatigue, malabsorption of food, and diarrhea.
Mycobacterium Avium Intracellulare: (MAI) An acid-fast bacillus that can cause infection of most internal organs. MAI infections are a common opportunistic infection of late-stage AIDS. |
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