seroconversion – the immune reaction when you develop antibodies to a new infection. HIV seroconversion usually starts a couple of week after infection. Because this is when viral load is very high (often millions of copies/mL), this is when symptoms occur.
About 70% people have HIV seroconversion symptoms. Some people become very ill and need immediate ART, and other have no symptoms.
qualitative (in a study) – where what is being measured either fits one of several categories, or includes descriptive results.
BMI (body mass index) – a calculation using height and weight that is used to decide whether someone is over or under weight.
null hypothesis – in a study this sometimes just refers to the hypothesis, but more specifically it refers the idea that any difference between 2 study groups has only occurred by chance.
opiate – a drug that comes from the opium poppy. Opiates include heroin, codeine and morphine.