Glossary

side effect – an unwanted effect from taking a medicine. Sometimes called an adverse event or drug toxicity.

major mutation – a drug resistance mutation that have a big impact on whether a drug continues to work. This used to be called a primary mutation.

viral load – the amount of virus in a sample of blood or other fluid. With HIV this is commonly the amount of HIV in a millilitre (mL) of blood. See viral load test.

brand name drug – drug supplied under a marketing name. Brand name drugs are usually protected by patents, but some generic drugs also have brand names

primary HIV infection (PHI) – early infection (usually first six months with after HIV infection). Sometimes called acute infection.