i-Base

Glossary

Selected words and phrases

side effect – an unwanted effect from taking a medicine. Sometimes called an adverse event or drug toxicity.

grade/grading – the grade of hepatitis infection refers to the amount of inflammation in liver tissue, found by a biopsy. It is usually measured on the Ishak scale from 1-18) where 0 is none and 18 is the maximum. See staging.

chronic infection – established infection (everything after the first 6 months)

point of care – referring to you doctors office (or wherever you access care)

acute infection – early infection (first few months with HIV).