Glossary

hepatic – relating to the liver, ie hepatitis = liver inflamation, hepatocyte = liver cell etc.

thrombocytopenia – a low platelet count (platelets help stop bleeding by clotting blood).

SVR (sustained virological response) – having a negative HCV viral load test 6 months after stopping HCV treatment. The response, 6 months after treatment is stopped, determines whether treatment has been effective in terms of clearing HCV. SVR is the most important result from an HCV treatment trial. See ETR.

dual therapy – using 2 drugs together.

lumbar puncture – taking a sample of spinal fluid by inserting a needle into the body at the base of the spine. Also called a spinal tap.