Search Menu

Glossary

Selected words and phrases

mucosal lining is the moist, inner lining of some organs and body cavities (such as the nose, mouth, vagina, lungs, and stomach). Glands in the mucosa make mucous, a thick, slippery fluid. A mucosal lining is also called a mucous membrane.

NASBA (nucleic acid sequence based amplification) – a type of viral load test.

empirical treatment – treating an illness based on its symptoms to see if it gets better.

reinfection – catching HIV a second time. When an HIV-positive becomes infected with second strain or type of HIV. Sometimes called superinfection.

duration – how long in time.