AIDS Glossary and Terms Hi! Welcome to my homepage!

Glossary of Terms

A

ACTG=AIDS Clinical Trials Group
ACTU=AIDS Clinical Testing Unit, clinical trial sites
acupuncture=treatment where the body is stuck or pricked with pins
acute=reaching a crisis guickly, severe
ADC= AIDS dementia complex, see: dementia
adenopathy=enlargement of glands, particularly the lymph glands(nodes)
adjuvant= a substance added to a drug that increases the effect of that drug
adverse reaction= side-effect; an undersireable or allergic response to a drug, many of the drugs used to fight HIV Disease cause adverse reactions in a small nuber of people, some side effects are minor and others fo away after a few days, reactions that do not clear after a day or two or are sepecially bad should be reported to your medical care providor,
afebrile=without a fever
agammaglobulinemia=absence of antibodies in the blood
alkaline phosphatase (alk phos)=an ensyme, indicator of liver condition, low counts are best, high counts can be indicator of hepatitis or a drug toxicitility
alopecia=hair loss
alpha interferon= see interferon
amino acid= one of 20+ organic acids that are the buildongs blocks of proteins
amylase= an ensyme that converts starch to sugar, high levels in a lab test indicate pancreatitis is a possibility
analgesic= a drug the reduces pain
Anemia= decrease in red blood cells
analog= variant of analogue
analogue= a structural derivative
ataxia= loss or lack of muscle coordination
atrophy= emaciation, loss of tissue,
arthralgis= joint pains
AZT=Zidovudine, anti HIV medicine, used alone or in combination with ddC, or other drugs.

B

bacillary angiomatosis= purplish lessions resembling Kaposi's sarcoma, commonly called "cat scratch disease".
bacteria= plural of bacterium, tiny, one-cell organisms of the class Schizomycetes. There is a vast assortment of bacteria, including many parasitic forms
bactermia= presence of bacterian in the blood
base line= a line used as a base for measurement, in HIV disease, a base line is the results of several test used to monitor the effectiveness of frugs.
b-cells=common term for B-lymphocytes cells
bilirubin= a reddish-yellow compound that occurs naturally in bile, blood and urine, too much bilirubin indicates there may be a liver problem
biopsy=the study of tissue taken from a living organism, generally done in search of another organism or disease
blastomycosis= as infection disease caused by a fungus, usually in the lungs, it can spread to the skin, bone or other tissues
blood-brain barrier= a membrane separating brain tissue from curculating blood, in HIV treatment, it usually refers to the difficulty of getting drugs from the blood stream to penetrate into the central nervous system, HIV is active in the brain tissue, AZT is the best drug at penetrating this barrier
body fluids= a group of fluids made within the body, usually blood, saliva, semem, and urine
buffer= something that leeson or absorbs an impact, a buffered drug is commonly a tablet that has been coated with a substance that prevents stomach upset

C

cachexia=general wasting due to illness or stress
cancer= a group of diseases characterized by abnormal growth(neoplasm, tumor) and spread to other parts of the body (metastasism)
candidiasis= a fungal infection, caused by a member of the genus, Candida. In the mouth candidiasis is called thrush and shows up as white patches. In the vagina, the disease is called vulvovaginal candidiasis. Candidiasis can also attack the lungs and teh esophogus.
catheter=a flexible tube inserted into a body channel to maintain the opening, can be an airway or as small as the needle type used in veins to introduce drugs or fluids to the body
CBC=complete blood count, a battery of blood test, including counts of cell types, hematocrig, hemoglobin
CCHD= Chatham County Health Department
CD4 (T4)= a protein embedded in the surface of helper T-cells, HIV invades the cell by attaching to the CD4 molecule ("CD4 receptor")
CD4 count= the number of helper T-lymphocytes in a patients blood, usually expressed as the number of cells per cubic millimeter. When this value drops below 200, the patient is defined as having AIDS, also called "T cell count"
CD8 (T8)= protein embedded in the surface of killer and suppressor T-lymphocytes, blood test that look for suppressor T-lymphocytes are actually looking for this protein
CDC= Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
cell= the smallest structural unit of an organism that is capable of independent functions, a cell consist of a nuclei, cytoplasm, various organells, and inanimate matter, all surrounded by a semipermeanble plasma membrane
cell-mediated immunity= part of the immune system responsible for direct attack foreign material without using proteins(antibodies), consists mainly of T-lymphocytes, killer cells and macrophages
centi= prefix meaning one-hundredth,1/100
cento= prefix meaning one hundred times, 100x
CPCRA= Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS
CNS= central nervous system, body network that consist of brain, spinal cord, nerve and nerve endings
Constriction(ed)= tighening or closure of item mentioned
CTL= cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, a cell that can kill foreign cells that were marked for destruction by other immune system cells
cyto= prefix meaning cell
cytotoxic T lymphocyte= a cell that can kill foreign cells that were marked for destruction by other immune system cells, the immune systems "hit squad"(abbreviated CTL)
cytotoxin= a protein poisonous to certain cells

D

d4T=Zerit, stavudine, is similar to the other anti-HIV drugs AZT, ddI, ddC
ddI=didanosine, is an anti-HIV treatment in the same class of drugs as AZT, ddC,
dementia= deterioration of intellectual faculties, often accompanied by emotional disturbance. HIV is active in the brain (central nevevous system=CNS)and can cause dementia, even in those with high CD4 counts and low viral loads. Treatment usually involves an anti-HIV drug--such as AZT--that is ables to cross the blood-brain barrier. This is also refered to as ADC or AIDS dementia complex
didanosine=see ddI
Dilated= expansion of pupils, arteries, ect.
dose= a specific amount(quantity) of a drug prescribed to be taken at specific times or intervals
dyplasia= abnormal tissue or cell growth

E

EBV= Epstein-Barr virus
ELISA= a test to see if the patient is HIV positive, the term is an abreviation for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
encephalitis= inflammation of the brain
Encephalopathy= dysfunction of the brain
enzyme= any of numerous proteins produced by organisms that work as a biochemical catalyst
epitope= a inique shape or a marker on the surface of an antigen that triggers an antibody response
experimental drug= a substance that is currently undergoing clinical trials

F

fungus= a plant of the subkingdom Thallophytka, a fungus lacks chloryphyl and can be a cingle cell or a larger plant, these are all fungus--mushrooms, mold, smut, yeast. Fungi causes these diseases--Candidiasis(thrush), crytococcal meningitis, toxaplamosis

G

gamma globulin= component of blood serum(plasma) containing antibodies, sometimes abbreviated as IgG
gamma interferon= see: interferon
gastroenteritis= inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach or intestine
gp41= protein on the outer surface of HIV that can pierce the surface of a helper T-lymphocytes cell (t-cell), this is HIV's infection mechanism
gp120= protein on the outer surface of HIV that binds to proteins (CD4) on helper T-lymphocyte cell (t-cell), this is HIV's docking mechanism
Granulocytopenia=abnormal reduction in granulocytes in the blood

H

hairy leukoplakia= a white lesion on the cheeks, gums or tongue, possibly to Epstein-Barr Virus infection
HBV= abrreviation for hepatitis B, a viral liver disease that can be chronic or acute
hematocrit= percentage of packed redblood cells in a blood sample
hemo= prefix meaning blood
histo= prefix meaning body tissue
hormone= a substance created by one organ, transmitted to another organ by the blood, that causes some activity in the second organ due to a chemical reaction,
HSV= herpes simplex virus
HTLV= human T-lymphotropic virus
hyper= prefix meaning, excessive, extra, over, above, beyond normal range
Hyperglycemia= increased levels of blood sugars
hypersensitivity= and overreaction, as in a reaction to a drug
hypo= prefix meaning less than normal, below, reduced, under
Hypoglycemia= abnormally low levels of glucose in the blood
Hypocalcemia= abnormally low levels of calcium in the blood
Hyppakalemia= decrease in potasium levels in the blood

I

IDU= abbreviation for injection drug user, especially illegal drugs(same as IDVU)
IDVU= abbreviation for intravenous drug user, especially illegal drugs, see: IDU
IgG= see: gamma globulin
immune= exempt from or not affected by, not responsive
IND= investigational new drug
indication= purpose of a drug, symptom that the drug is designed to reduce or eliminate, reason for prescriping
intra= prefix meaning within,
intracutaneous= within the skin
intralesioanal= within a lesion, (as in directions, where to give an injection)
intravenous= with a vein, as with a drug injection
intrvitreal= within the eye
IRB= institutional review board, a committee at an institution or hospital involved in biomedical research that overseees all human trials, in the US all clinical trials are required by the FDA to be approved by the institutions IRB, as an accountability factor...
IV= abbreviation meaning intrvenous, within a vein, as with a drug injection

K

Kaposi's sarcoma= a cancer--commonly abbreviated KS--of the blood vessels caused by a herpes virus, KS is very rare except in HIV positive persons. This is one of the most common opportunistic infections(OI), symptoms include red, pinkm or purple spots on the skin or internal organs
killer T-cells= an immune system cell (cytotoxic lymphocyte) that directly kills other infected cells in the body, also called natural killer cells
KS= see: Kaposi's sarcoma

L

latency= being present but not evident, in HIV disease, the virus is present for years before any symproms appear. During this period of latency, the virus is still active and damaging the immune system.
lesion= a wound or injury
leukemia= a group of diseases involving an abnormal production of white blood cells
leuko, leuk, leuco, leuc,= all prefixes meaning white
leukocyte= white blood cell
leukocytosis= abnormally high number of white blood cells
leukopenia= abnormally low number of white blood cells
leukopoiesis= formation and developement of white blood cells
LIP= abbreviation for lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia
listeriosis= a serious and sometimes fatal bacterial disease(lysteria) that looks like severe encephalitis but with paralysis.
lymph gland= another name for lymph node
lymph node= an oval or round body located in the lymphatic system(all over the body)that supplies lymhocytes to the blood stream and removes bacteria from the body
lymph= a clear or yellowish fluid containing white blood cells and some red blood cells that travel through the lymphatic system. The lymph system helps remove bacteria and some proteins from tissues. It also transports fat to the intestines
lymphadenopathy= snflamation (swelling) of lymph nodes caused by numerous conditions, including flu, mononucleousis, lymphoma and primary HIV infection
lymphatic system= interconnected system of spaces and glands by which lymph circulates in the body
lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia= pneumonia common in children with HIV
lymphoma= cancer of the lymphatic system

M

MAC= mycobacterium avium complex= a disease caused by dust particles, systems include weight loss, fatigue, and fever
magnetic resonance imaging= see: MRI
mal= prefix meaning bad, abnormal
macro= prefix meaning
malabsorbtion= ineffective or substandard absorbtion of nutrients or drugs in the intestines
meninx= a membrane that encloses the brain and spinal cord
metabolized= process of absorbtion or how a substance is broken down
mono= prefix meaning one,
MRI= magnetic resonance imaging, a diagnostic technigue that uses magnetic fields and radio waves (instead of X-rays), and produce a 3-D computer image or model
myalgia= tenderness or pain in muscles
myasthenia= abnormal muscular weakness
myco-, myc-= prefix meaning fungus, fungal in nature
mycobacterium avium complex= see: MAC
mycosis= a fungal growth in the body
mydriatic= a drug that produces dilation of the pupils
myelo, mylel,= prefix meaning of, spinal cord, marrow
myeloma= a malignant tumor of the bone marrow

N

natural killer cells (NK)= a lymphocyte (white blood cell) that attacks and destroys infected or cancer-causing cells without antigen stimulation
neo= prefix meaning new, recent, of new,
neoplasm= abnormal new growth in plant or animal tissue, a tumor
neopterin= a substance produced by macrophage cells when they find a foreign substance in the blood stream, neopterin alerts other cells to take action against the intruder, measuring neopterin is one way of finding out how well the immune system is working
neph= see: nephro
nephro= prefix meaning and pertaining to the kidney
nephrotoxicity= kidney toxicity
neutropenia= decrease in neutrophils
NHL=Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a rare cancer that affects B-cells in the lymph system
night sweats= abnormal sweating during sleep
NK cells= see: natural killer cells

O

off label use= the use of a prescription drug for other than what it is intended for
OI= oppertunistic infection, see: opportunistic infection
open trial= a clinical trial of a drug where researchers and patients know which drug is being administered
opportunistic infection = a disease or condidtion that attacks a weaken immune system, commonly abbreviated OI

P

para= prefix meaning beside, near,
parasite= an organism that grows and feeds in or on another organism without benifitting the host organism, most parasites are harmless, but some are deadly,
PCP= pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, a fungal inflamation of the lungs,
pharmaco= prefix meaning the study of drug activity
pharmocokinetics= study of drug absorbtion and metabolism
pico=prefix meaning one-trillionth
placebo=an inactive substance given to a control group in a clinical trial, the placebo is sometimes called a "sugar pill" because some of these control groups are given common substances, such as sugar, disguised as medication, the control group is the base line to which the other group receiving the real medication is based against
platelet=a small blood cell (protoplasmic disk) involved in coagulation and would healing. HIV can lower a person's platelet count, causing severe bleeding, the normal platelet count is
PPD= a test for tuberculosis, a positive result means you have been exposed and should be treated, but it does not mean you have the disease
Prophylaxis=preventive measure or action,200,000-300,000
Prothrombin time=a test in blood clotting time
PLWA= person living with AIDS
PWA= person with AIDS

R

renal failure=kidney failure
retina= a light-sensitive membrane lining the inner eyeball, images are formed on the retina before they are transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve
retinitis= inflamation of the retina which can lead to blindness, in HIV disease, retinitis is commonly caused by CMV,
retrovirus=a retrovirus--such as HIV--replicate using an enzyme(reverse transriptase) to copy the RNA into DNA, most cells have DNA in their natural state and transcribe to RNA(ribonucleac acid) during the replication, A retrovirus does things backwards-- RNA, not DNA, is its natural genetic state

S

sepsis= the presence of pathogenic organisn or their toxons in the blood or tissues, symtoms include a sudden drop in blood pressure and changes in heart rate
shingles= a viral infection-- called herpes zoster by doctors--consists of painful listers on the skin that follow nerve pathways
sigmoid= an S-shaped bend in the colon near the rectum
stavudine= see d4T , brand name is Zerit
STD=sexually transmitted disease
steroid= a naturally occuring compound(fat-soluable and having a 17-cargon-atom ring as a basis), including many hormones and vitamin precursors
Steven-Johnson syndrome=dilation of blood capitllaries the results in redness and lesions of the skin. Eyes and mouth may become swollen leading to inability to eat. Can be fatal.
syn= prefix meaning together
synergism= the action of two or more substances acting together better together than either can by themselves, an example of this is as with some HIV drugs, AZT and d4T for example, one works ok , the other works ok, but together they enhance each other to acheive greater than either

T

TB=tuberculosis, a baterial infection
toxoplasmosis= an imflammation of the brain caused by toxoplasma gondii, a prasite. It may also involve the heart, lung , adrenal glands, pancreasee and testicles. This disease is usually mild but it can cause fever and and swollen glands as well as severe headaches. 50% of Americans have been exposed to toxoplasma gondii at sometime in their life.
thrombocytopenia= decrease in platelets
thrush= see: candidiasis
thymus= an organ in the body that trains T cells to become part of the immune system
TNF= tumor necrosis factor, a naturally occoring protein, TNF destroys cancer cells, is suspected as being a co-factor in HIV replication
toxicosis= a pathological condition resulting from poisoning
triglycerides=fat in the blood, high levels can indicate liver or pancrease problems, low level can indicate malnutrition
tuberculosis=a baterial infection
tumor necrosis factor= a neaturally occuring protein, commonly called TNF, TNF destroys cancer cells, but is suspected as being a co-factor in HIV replication

U

Uyeitis= painful inflamation of the uveal tract (structures of the eye)

V

vertigo= dizziness, caused by a malfunction of the inner ear that makes the patient feel like everything is spinning around
Videx=see ddI
viral load= a group of test that determines that amount of HIV in the blood, the two most commonly used viral load test are the PCR and bDNA
virus=a submicroscopic organism that can reproduce while inside another cell(host)

W

wasting syndrome= severe weight loss
Western Blot (test)=a test for HIV, It is a blot consisting or a sheet of cellulose containing spots of protein for indentification by a molecular probe, this looks for HIV antibodies--a protein produced by the bodies immune system as it tries to fight off a disease(HIV in this case)
white blood cells=one of the cells in blood, part of the immune system that fights foreign organisms

Z

Zerit=see d4T
Zidovudine=see AZT
zoster=Herpes zoster--commonly called shingle--a viral infection, of painful blisters on the skin that follow nerve pathways

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