Glossary

generic drug – drug supplied under its common (chemical) name.

asymptomatic – showing no signs of illness.

STARHS – this is a type of HIV test that can indicate whether you are likely to have been infected within the last six months. STARHS stands for Serological Testing Algorithm for Recent HIV Seroconversion. In the UK this test is now called RITA (Recent Infection Treatment Algorithm).

hepatic encephalopathy – brain disease that occurs when serious liver damage prevents toxic substances from being flitered out of the blood, and they enter the brain. See encephalopathy.

CSF – cerebral spinal fluid – the fluid that circulates around the brain and spinal column.