Glossary

ARV – a drug that works against a retrovirus, eg treatment for HIV. See: antiretroviral.

AIDS – acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

mitochondria – energy producing factories that live inside other cells.

viral load test – a test that detects whether a virus is present (qualatitive) or that measures the amount of virus (quantitative).

This is usually in a sample of blood, but a viral load test can also be used to check viral levels in other samples including genital fluid, semen or spinal fluid.

Results are given as the number of copies of virus in a millilitre of blood (copies/mL).

Pulmonary hypertension refers to high blood pressure in the arteries taking blood from the heart to the lungs.

People living with HIV-are more likely to develop pulmonary hypertension than HIV-negative people.