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Glossary

Selected words and phrases

formulation – the physical form that makes an active drug into a medicine.

Different formulations include

  • Pills (capsules or tablets).
  • Syrups or other oral solutions.
  • Injections.
  • Powders.
  • Creams or lotions.

A co-formulation is when two active drugs are combined. For example: when two active drugs are in the same pill.

toxoplasmosis (toxo) – an opportunistic infection caused by a protozoa. The risk to develop toxo increases after CD4 counts fall below 100 cells/mm3.

Toxo section of the training manual.

lipodystrophy – body fat changes, including fat loss (from arms, legs, buttocks and face) and/or fat gain (in abdomen, breasts and shoulders). The lipodystrophy syndrome also includes metabolic changes in lipid and glucose metabolism.

surrogate marker – A surrogate marker is when something that is easy to measure is used as a marker for something that is difficult to measure directly.

The CD4 count doesn’t directly measure HIV. But it is a good surrogate (or indirect) marker for how HIV has damaged your immune system. It is closely linked to the risk of HIV-related complications.

Viral load in blood is a good surrogate marker for levels of HIV in your body overall including in other body sites.

neonate – a baby that is 0 to 28 days old.