Archives

performance stage – WHO classification of progress of HIV infection. WHO classification system.

percutaneous – umbilical cord sampling see cordocentis.

percentage (%) – a number as a proportion of 100.

peer support – support provided by people who share the same experience or problem. HIV peer support is provided by other HIV-positive people.

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) –  type of viral load test.

parasite – an animal or plant that get nutrients and support by living on another species.

outreach – a type of service which goes out to find and engage people.

organogenesis – the process of development of baby’s main organs. This period is the first 12 weeks in the womb.

opportunistic infection (OI) – an infection that occurs after your immune system has been damaged by HIV. OI chapter of the training manual.

opiate – a drug that comes from the opium poppy. Opiates include heroin, codeine and morphine.

open label – this means that a patient in a trial knows which treatment they are taking.

oesophagus – part of the gut between the throat and the stomach.

null hypothesis – in a study this sometimes just refers to the hypothesis, but more specifically it refers the idea that any difference between 2 study groups has only occurred by chance.

nucleus – the central part of some cells that contains DNA.

NHL (Non-Hodgkins lymphoma) – a type of lymph cancer. Cancer: lymphoma and sarcoma

nausea – the feeling that you want to be sick (a feeling of wanting to vomit).  Nausea section in the side effect guide.

natural history – the pattern a disease follows if it is not treated. The natural history of HIV includes very high viral load in the first weeks or months of infection (seroconversion), a drop in CD4 counts that then recovers, …

NASBA (nucleic acid sequence based amplification) – a type of viral load test.

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.

mutation – a change in the genetic structure of an organism (including a virus like HIV). See resistance. Changing treatment and drug resistance.