CD4 cells are white blood cells in your immune system. CD4 cells signal to CD8 cells to destroy a virus. CD4 cells are also used by HIV as factories to reproduce in.
Glossary
Selected words and phrases
Q12H (or q12H) – an abbreviated term for timing medication doses.
q8H means every 8 hours.This is not the same as three times a day (tid or TD).
q12H means every 12 hours. This is not the same as twice-daily (bid or BD).
q24H means every 24 hours. This is not the same as once-daily (qd or QD).
toxicity – medical word for side effect, the potential harm a drug can cause.
Hypertension is the medical name for high blood pressure (BP). Blood pressure is measured as two numbers ie 120/80. The first number is systolic BP – the pressure when your heart beats. The second number is diastolic BP, which is the pressure when you heart rests between beats.
Target range for BP is usually 120/80. Drugs to reduce BP are sometimes recommended if this is above 130/85 or 140/90. This also depends on other risk factors for heart disease, including age, sex, ethnicity ajd other health factors.
Hypertension increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke, particularly when diastolic BP is high.
See: Hypotension (low blood pressure).
peripheral neuropathy (PN) – damage to the nerves in your hands or feet. PN can be caused by HIV or some HIV drugs.