Glossary

codon – the word for the junction on genetic material (DNA or RNA) occupied by three nucleotides (or bases) to form an amino acid. In HIV it is most used when refering to drug resistance. There is an amino acid at each codon and the codons are numbered (starting from 1) for each section of the HIV gene. For example the mutation M184V in RT refers to a mutation change at codon 184 in the reverse transcriptase gene.

malignant – dangerous. A malignant cancer is a dangerous cancer that is growing.

capsid inhibitor – this is a new type of HIV drug that works at several different stages of the HIV lifecycle.

Lenacapavir is currently to only approved capsid inhibitor. The long-acting HIV med only needs to be given by subcutaneous injection every six months.

clinical failure – when you develop new symptoms and illnesses even though you are on treatment. See virological failure.

lipid – medical term for fat. The term ‘blood lipids’ refers to cholesterol and triglyceride levels in blood.