virology – the study of viruses.
Glossary
Selected words and phrases
expanded access programme (EAP) – a scheme that allows people to access a drug before it has been approved (but when approval is expected).
EAPs are for people urgently need treatment as a life-saving option and who do o have the time to wait for the six months that it takes for approval to be finalised. EAPs are usually available for most HIV drugs after the main studies (phase 3) have been completed.
They were an important early result of community activism. They are also called ‘early access’ or ‘named-patient’ programmes.
phenotype test – a type of drug resistance that tests whether a drug is sensitive or resistance to a sample of HIV.
nucleotide – the building blocks of the genetic code (DNA/RNA). Also called a base.
wasting – loss of lean body mass (muscle loss). A unplanned or unexplained wight loss of more than 5% body weight over six months can be an AIDS-defining illness.