Glossary

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.