Glossary

grade/grading – the grade of hepatitis infection refers to the amount of inflammation in liver tissue, found by a biopsy. It is usually measured on the Ishak scale from 1-18) where 0 is none and 18 is the maximum. See staging.

antigen – a protein found on the surface of a virus or bacteria. It is recognised by the immune system which then generates antibodies.

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.

secondary mutation – see minor mutation.

acute infection – early infection (first few months with HIV).