genotype (or genotypic) – This term has several common uses:
1. a general term for the molecular structure of a living organism or virus.
2. a test that looks at the structure of an organism of virus (ie genotype resistance test looks for changes in the virus structure – called mutations).
3. a category for different types of similar viruses – ie hepatitis C has many subtypes, referred to as genotype-1, genotype-2 etc. HCV genotype is the strongest predictor of response to hepatitis C treatment.
See also phenotype.
Portacath – a small medical device fitted under the skin that allows injected drugs to have a more direct route to where they are needed.
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.
peer support – support provided by people who share the same experience or problem. HIV peer support is provided by other HIV-positive people.
Compassionate use programmes enable people with life-threatening, long-lasting or seriously disabling illnesses to use drugs that have not yet been authorised. This is usually only for drugs that are near to drug approval, especially for people who would be excluded from research studies.
This is similar to, and sometimes called, a named-patient programme.
Information on compassionate access in the EU.
