Glossary

RNA – an abbreviation for the scientific word for genetic material found in some types of viruses. It is the abbreviation for ribonucleic acid. It is very similar to DNA but is single-strand rather than the double-strand in DNA. See DNA.

autoantibody – abnormal antibodies produced against the body’s own tissues.

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

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

lymph (or lymphatic) system – vessels, nodes, organs and clear fluid, that are part of the immune system.