October 2009

The following websites include online interactive discussion boards. Sometimes these require you to choose a login and username (which does not need to be your own name). i-Base is not responsible for the content and format of these sites. Aidsmeds …

The UK CAB is a network for community HIV treatment advocates across the UK that was set up by i-Base in 2002. The CAB is now run by a Steering Group elected by the members who decide and run the …

uneven distribution – a term in statistics where most results fall to the left (positive skewness) or right (negative skewness) of the middle of the range.

undetectable – an amount smaller than a test can measure. For viral load tests, this means below 400 or, more commonly, below 50 copies/mL, depending on the make of test. In research laboratories, some very sensitive tests can measure down …

type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) – an illness that usually affect adults (previously called adult-onset diabetes), when glucose levels increase because the body does not produce enough insulin or does not respond well to insulin.

trimester – a 12 week period of a pregnancy. Different periods during pregnancy are commonly referred to as the first, second and third trimester.

triglycerides (TG) – a kind of lipid (blood fat) that is generated by the liver. Untreated HIV infection reduces triglicerides and treatment increases levels again. Some HIV drugs also increase triglycerides.

toxoplasmosis (toxo) – an opportunistic infection caused by a protozoa. The risk to develop toxo increases after CD4 counts fall below 100 cells/mm3. Toxo section of the training manual.

T-cell – a type of white blood cell (lymphocyte) that are part of the immune system and that mature in the thymus (T). CD4 cells are also called T-cells.

viral load test – a test that detects whether a virus is present (qualatitive) or that measures the amount of virus (quantitative). This is usually in a sample of blood, but a viral load test can also be used to …

virological failure – the term for when viral load levels never reach undetectable, or if they rebound to higher levels after previously being undetectable. See clinical failure.

virology – the study of viruses.

virus – an infectious organism that can only reproduce inside the cell of another plant or animal.

wasting – loss of lean body mass (muscle loss). A unplanned or unexplained wight loss of more than 5% body weight over six months can be an AIDS-defining illness. Weight loss and wasting section of the training manual.

weight loss – a general reduction in weight. Weight loss can often be a symptom of other opportunistic infections. Weight loss and wasting section of the training manual.

WHO (World Health Organisation) – international organisation involved in global responses to HIV. WHO website.

syphilis – an STI that is a bacterial infection, usually transmitted by sexual contact. Untreated, syphilis can cause serious injury to an unborn baby.

symptomatic – showing signs of illness.

symptom – a sign of illness.

Summary of Product Characteristics (SPCs) – detailed information about a drug provided by the maker that is approved by the European Regulatory Agency (EMEA/CPMP). Also called EPARs. EMEA published SPCs