resistance tests – tests to show changes to HIV that are associated with drug resistance. Genotype resistance test looks for genetic changes. Phenotype resistance test see whether individual drugs are still active when placed in a test tube with HIV.
Glossary
Selected words and phrases
portal hypertension – increased blood pressure (hypertension) in the vein carrying blood to the liver.
viral rebound – when your viral load has been undetectable (under 50 copies/mL) and then becomes detectable. Sometimes viral rebound can be a lab error, sometimes a small temporary blip, and sometimes a real rebound that shows your virus may have developed resistance to one or more of the drugs in a combination treatment. See: virological failure.
BMI (body mass index) – a calculation using height and weight that is used to decide whether someone is over or under weight.
IRIS (immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome) – illnesses that occur when HIV treatment is started when the CD4 count is very low.
IRIS occurs because the immune system quickly becomes stronger and identifies infections that it was previously too weak to fight.
IRIS can occur in 1 in 4 (25%) people who start with a CD4 count under 50 cells/mm3.
Although the symtoms are serious, IRIS can usually be easily managed.