Glossary

anaemia – shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells

escape mutation – a mutation or change in the genetic structure of HIV that makes it easier to evade the persons immune system (rather than a mutation that stops an HIV drug from working).

TST – tuberculosis skin test

chronic infection – established infection (everything after the first 6 months)

viral load – the amount of virus in a sample of blood or other fluid. With HIV this is commonly the amount of HIV in a millilitre (mL) of blood. See viral load test.