Glossary

Peripheral arterial disease refers to a narrowing or hardening (atherosclerosis) in the arteries in the arms or legs.

See: atherosclerosis

low level resistance – when there is some resistance but it does not have any significant impact on how well a drug works.  The HIV drug is still sensitve and is  considered active.

placenta – the placenta is a temporary organ that develops in pregnancy and joins the mother and foetus. The placenta acts as a filter. It transfers oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the foetus, and takes away carbon dioxide and waste products. The placenta is full of blood vessels.

The placenta is expelled from the mother’s body after the baby is born and it is no longer needed. It is sometimes called the afterbirth.

prophylaxis – a treatment taken before an illness in order to prevent it occuring. Primary prophylaxis is the terming for taking a preventative treatment before ever having had the illness. Secondary prophylaxis is the term for continuing to take a treatment to prevent the illness coming back.

capsid inhibitor – this is a new type of HIV drug that works at several different stages of the HIV lifecycle.

Lenacapavir is currently to only approved capsid inhibitor. The long-acting HIV med only needs to be given by subcutaneous injection every six months.