Glossary

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

central line – tube inserted into a deep vein to deliver medicine (Hickman line or PortaCath).

IV (intravenous) – injecting into a vein. See SC (sub-cutaneous) and IM (intra-muscular).

STARHS – this is a type of HIV test that can indicate whether you are likely to have been infected within the last six months. STARHS stands for Serological Testing Algorithm for Recent HIV Seroconversion. In the UK this test is now called RITA (Recent Infection Treatment Algorithm).

multi-disciplinary – a team approach to care, involving several different professionals.