Glossary

postpartum refers to the time after a baby is born. Postpartum refers to the mother.

See: antepartum and intrapartum.

central line – tube inserted into a deep vein to deliver medicine (Hickman line or PortaCath).

PT (prothrombin time; pro-time) – PT testing measures the amount of time it takes for blood to clot. When the liver is damaged, its ability to make clotting factors is impaired. If this time increases – referred to as a prolonged PT interval – it shows that the liver is not working so well.

boosted-PI – a protease inhibitor taken with an additional dose of ritonavir. The ritonavir boost levels of the protease inhibitor by either increasing the initial drugs levels or reducing how quickly or reducing how quickly it is removed by your body. Ritonavir (itself a protease inhibitor) is currently the only drug used in this way. Other boosters are in development including cobicistat which has no direct anti-HIV activity.

ribavirin – drug used to boost the efficacy of pegylated interferon to treat hepatitis C. Given as twice-daily capsules.