Glossary

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) –  type of viral load test.

ritonavir – a protease inhibitor (PI) that is now used boost levels of some other  HIV drugs, especially other PIs.

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

Hickman line – a fixed central line that is used to deliver IV drugs close to where they are needed in the body.

drug resistant mutation – a mutation or change that occurs in the HIV genome that reduces a drugs ability to work.