Glossary

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

viral load – the amount of virus in a sample of blood or other fluid. With HIV this is commonly the amount of HIV in a millilitre (mL) of blood. See viral load test.

combination therapy – using three or more drugs together to treat HIV. It is also called triple therapy, cART (combination antiretroviral therapy)  or HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy).

escape mutation – a mutation or change in the genetic structure of HIV that makes it easier to evade the persons immune system (rather than a mutation that stops an HIV drug from working).

symptomatic – showing signs of illness.