Archives

pegylated interferon (PEG interferon) – treatment for hepatitis C, given in combination with ribavirin. Given as a onceweekly injection.

neutropenia – very low amount of neutrophils (neutrophils are white blood cells that fight bacterial infections).

monoinfection – infection with only one virus

IDU – injecting drug user

hepatotoxicity – the medical term for liver-related side effects

hepatic – relating to the liver, ie hepatitis = liver inflamation, hepatocyte = liver cell etc.

hepatic encephalopathy – brain disease that occurs when serious liver damage prevents toxic substances from being flitered out of the blood, and they enter the brain. See encephalopathy.

HAART – a common term for HIV combination therapy, an acronym for Highly Active AntiRetroviral Treatment.

HPV (human papillomavirus) – a family of viruses associated with cervical cancer and anal cancer and genital warts.

HAV – hepatitis A, a virus that causes liver disease. Hepatitis A.

HCV – hepatitis C, a virus that causes liver disease. Guide to HIV and hepatitis C coinfection.

HBV – hepatitis B, a virus that causes liver disease. Hepatitis B.

GGT (gamma glutamyl transferase) –  enzyme involved in metabolism that is produced in the bile ducts. Any type of liver disease, heavy drinking, and some medications can increase levels of GGT.

stage (staging) – the stage of hepatitis infection refers to the amount of scaring (fibrosis), from results from a biposy. It is usually measured on the Metavir scale of 0 to 4, where 0 represents no scarring and 4 cirrhosis, …

grade/grading – the grade of hepatitis infection refers to the amount of inflammation in liver tissue, found by a biopsy. It is usually measured on the Ishak scale from 1-18) where 0 is none and 18 is the maximum. See …

genotype (or genotypic) – This term has several common uses: 1. a general term for the molecular structure of a living organism or virus. 2. a test that looks at the structure of an organism of virus (ie genotype resistance …

fulminant liver disease – sudden, rapid disease progression related to liver failure.

free radical – a chemical produced after a molecular reaction, often containing oxygen, that has one ‘free’ unpaired electron on its outer surface. This makes it able to react and damage other cells, and perhaps increase progression of cardiovascular disease, …

Fibroscan – a non-invasive ultrasound scan that measures the ‘elasticity’ or stiffness of the liver. i-Base video of a FibroScan on YouTube.

fibrotest – a test which uses results from blood tests to predict liver damage and which may become an alternative option to liver biopsy in some patients.