AST (aspartate aminotransferase; also called serum glutamicoxaloacetic transaminase; SGOT) – an enzyme that is made in many places throughout the body (heart, intestines, muscle) , which is monitored (as with ALT) routinely in HIV-positive people on ARVs to detect liver toxicity from HIV drugs (or other medications). Elevated AST that is specifically made in the liver signals liver injury, but does not indicate how serious liver damage is.
Glossary
Selected words and phrases
HAV – hepatitis A, a virus that causes liver disease.
reinfection – catching HIV a second time. When an HIV-positive becomes infected with second strain or type of HIV. Sometimes called superinfection.
RITA – this is a type of HIV test that can indicate whether you recemtly became HIV positive. This is defined as being the last six months.
RITA stands for Recent Infection Treatment Algorithm. In the UK, this test is used to be called STARHS (Serological Testing Algorithm for Recent HIV Seroconversion).
It is also sometimes called a de-tuned or recency HIV test.
See this Q&A on RITA testing.
adherence – taking your medicine at the right time each day and in the right way.