Glossary

resistance – when the genetic structure of an organism (virus, bacteria, fungi etc) changes in a way that stops a drug from working. See mutation.

Changing treatment and drug resistance.

icterus – medical term for jaundice (yellowing skin)

Q12H (or q12H) – an abbreviated term for timing medication doses.

q8H means every 8 hours.This is not the same as three times a day (tid or TD).

q12H means every 12 hours. This is not the same as twice-daily (bid or BD).

q24H means every 24 hours. This is not the same as once-daily (qd or QD).

antioxidant – a substance that reduces oxidative damage (damage due to oxygen) such as that caused by ‘free radicals’

lipid – medical term for fat. The term ‘blood lipids’ refers to cholesterol and triglyceride levels in blood.