microbicide – a gel that may protect against infection.In reference to HIV, this is usually referring to a gel that could be applied before sex. In 2010 a study called Caprisa 004 provided the first evidence that a microbicide (in this case a gel containing the HIV drug tenofovir) might protect against HIV infection.
Glossary
Selected words and phrases
monotherapy – using only one drug.
RITA – this is a type of HIV test that can indicate whether you recemtly became HIV positive. This is defined as being the last six months.
RITA stands for Recent Infection Treatment Algorithm. In the UK, this test is used to be called STARHS (Serological Testing Algorithm for Recent HIV Seroconversion).
It is also sometimes called a de-tuned or recency HIV test.
See this Q&A on RITA testing.
Summary of Product Characteristics (SPCs) – detailed information about a drug provided by the maker that is approved by the European Regulatory Agency (EMEA/CPMP). Also called EPARs.
abstract – in research, a short summary of a study (usually about 350 words)