Glossary

febrile – medical word relating to fever

major mutation – a drug resistance mutation that have a big impact on whether a drug continues to work. This used to be called a primary mutation.

PT (prothrombin time; pro-time) – PT testing measures the amount of time it takes for blood to clot. When the liver is damaged, its ability to make clotting factors is impaired. If this time increases – referred to as a prolonged PT interval – it shows that the liver is not working so well.

Peripheral arterial disease refers to a narrowing or hardening (atherosclerosis) in the arteries in the arms or legs.

See: atherosclerosis

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.