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Glossary

Selected words and phrases

CART – combination anti-retroviral therapy.

formulation – the physical form that makes an active drug into a medicine.

Different formulations include

  • Pills (capsules or tablets).
  • Syrups or other oral solutions.
  • Injections.
  • Powders.
  • Creams or lotions.

A co-formulation is when two active drugs are combined. For example: when two active drugs are in the same pill.

fusion inhibitor – a type of HIV drug (an entry inhibitor). Fusion inhibitors stops HIV ‘fusing’ to a CD4 cell. T-20 (enfuvirtide, Fuzeon) is only currently licensed fusion inhibitor.

Drug targets in the virus life cycle.

HBV – hepatitis B, a virus that causes liver disease.

Hepatitis B.

STARHS – this is a type of HIV test that can indicate whether you are likely to have been infected within the last six months. STARHS stands for Serological Testing Algorithm for Recent HIV Seroconversion. In the UK this test is now called RITA (Recent Infection Treatment Algorithm).