Commonly misunderstood definitions
By, Karen McGlenn, The Journal, November 30, 2006
Understanding AIDS and HIV is no easy task. Becoming educated about the diseases can be confusing and time-consuming. Here are some basic terms and definitions that are important to know.
AIDS - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, development of certain infections that may result from a decrease in a person's immune system. AIDS also can be diagnosed if a person's T cell count, which helps fight infections, falls below 200. An
HIV-negative person's T cell count ranges from 600 to 1,200 cells per microliter.
Antibodies - Molecules that destroy bacteria or viruses.
ARV - Antiretroviral, a medication that keeps a retrovirus, such as HIV, from making copies of itself, thus progressing. The U.S. Department of Health recommends starting antiretroviral therapy when a person's T cell count is less than 200 or the person has a history of AIDS-defining illnesses or suffers from severe symptoms of HIV infections. Therapy also may be offered when a T cell count is between 201 and 350.
Asymptomatic - Having no symptoms. A person may test positive for HIV, but does not display any symptoms of the disease.
AZT - Azidothymidine, also known as Retrovir, a drug used to suppress HIV replication. AZT was one of the first drugs administered to HIV patients.
Candidiasis - An infection caused by a yeast-like fungus that can affect the skin, nails, mouth, esophagus, vagina, lungs and intestines.
CD4 Cell - Also known as T cells, fights infections and leads other cells in the immune system. HIV kills CD4 cells, which makes the immune system weak.
CD4 Count - or T cell count, number of CD4 cells in a milliliter of blood.
CDC - Center for Disease Control and Prevention, based in Atlanta, Ga., among the first to identify the virus and the AIDS epidemic, offers various HIV and AIDS information and prevention services.
Cocktail - a combination of drugs used to combat AIDS that must be taken every day
DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid, a double helix molecule that contains instructions for reproduction and protein synthesis for cells and viruses; occasionally referred to as the "blueprint of life."
HAART - Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, usually a combination of three or more anti-HIV drugs that slows down the progression of HIV.
HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a contracted retrovirus that weakens the body's immune system.
Kaposi's sarcoma - A type of cancer considered to be an AIDS-defining illness caused by an overgrowth of blood vessels, which can leave spots or bumps on the skin. Can also occur in the intestines, lymph nodes and lungs and can be life-threatening.
Lesions - Infected sores on the skin.
Long-term nonprogressors - People who have been HIV-positive for several years, who have maintained a T cell count of at least 600, have had no HIV-related illnesses and have not required any antiretroviral therapy.
Retrovirus - A type of virus that can clone itself from a single-stranded RNA to a double-stranded DNA, which integrates back into the host cell's genes.
RNA - ribonucleic acid, a single-stranded molecule that acts as a guide for protein synthesis. RNA is generally created from DNA. Some viruses contain only RNA rather than DNA.
Virus - A molecule, generally consisting of a protein coat and genetic material, which needs a host cell to make copies of itself in order to reproduce. Arguments abound as to whether viruses are living or not; most agree that they are non-living particles. Examples are measles, mumps, polio, influenza and the common cold.
Wasting syndrome - Can be an AIDS-defining illness, refers to loss of more than 10 percent of body weight, loss of muscle mass, more than 30 days of diarrhea and fever.
The information above was found at the following Web sites: http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov, a Web site provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; the Virology Journal at http://www.virology.net and also at WebMD, a medical information Web site, accessible at http://www.webmd.com.
Understanding AIDS and HIV is no easy task. Becoming educated about the diseases can be confusing and time-consuming. Here are some basic terms and definitions that are important to know.
AIDS - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, development of certain infections that may result from a decrease in a person's immune system. AIDS also can be diagnosed if a person's T cell count, which helps fight infections, falls below 200. An
HIV-negative person's T cell count ranges from 600 to 1,200 cells per microliter.
Antibodies - Molecules that destroy bacteria or viruses.
ARV - Antiretroviral, a medication that keeps a retrovirus, such as HIV, from making copies of itself, thus progressing. The U.S. Department of Health recommends starting antiretroviral therapy when a person's T cell count is less than 200 or the person has a history of AIDS-defining illnesses or suffers from severe symptoms of HIV infections. Therapy also may be offered when a T cell count is between 201 and 350.
Asymptomatic - Having no symptoms. A person may test positive for HIV, but does not display any symptoms of the disease.
AZT - Azidothymidine, also known as Retrovir, a drug used to suppress HIV replication. AZT was one of the first drugs administered to HIV patients.
Candidiasis - An infection caused by a yeast-like fungus that can affect the skin, nails, mouth, esophagus, vagina, lungs and intestines.
CD4 Cell - Also known as T cells, fights infections and leads other cells in the immune system. HIV kills CD4 cells, which makes the immune system weak.
CD4 Count - or T cell count, number of CD4 cells in a milliliter of blood.
CDC - Center for Disease Control and Prevention, based in Atlanta, Ga., among the first to identify the virus and the AIDS epidemic, offers various HIV and AIDS information and prevention services.
Cocktail - a combination of drugs used to combat AIDS that must be taken every day
DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid, a double helix molecule that contains instructions for reproduction and protein synthesis for cells and viruses; occasionally referred to as the "blueprint of life."
HAART - Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, usually a combination of three or more anti-HIV drugs that slows down the progression of HIV.
HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a contracted retrovirus that weakens the body's immune system.
Kaposi's sarcoma - A type of cancer considered to be an AIDS-defining illness caused by an overgrowth of blood vessels, which can leave spots or bumps on the skin. Can also occur in the intestines, lymph nodes and lungs and can be life-threatening.
Lesions - Infected sores on the skin.
Long-term nonprogressors - People who have been HIV-positive for several years, who have maintained a T cell count of at least 600, have had no HIV-related illnesses and have not required any antiretroviral therapy.
Retrovirus - A type of virus that can clone itself from a single-stranded RNA to a double-stranded DNA, which integrates back into the host cell's genes.
RNA - ribonucleic acid, a single-stranded molecule that acts as a guide for protein synthesis. RNA is generally created from DNA. Some viruses contain only RNA rather than DNA.
Virus - A molecule, generally consisting of a protein coat and genetic material, which needs a host cell to make copies of itself in order to reproduce. Arguments abound as to whether viruses are living or not; most agree that they are non-living particles. Examples are measles, mumps, polio, influenza and the common cold.
Wasting syndrome - Can be an AIDS-defining illness, refers to loss of more than 10 percent of body weight, loss of muscle mass, more than 30 days of diarrhea and fever.
The information above was found at the following Web sites: http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov, a Web site provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; the Virology Journal at http://www.virology.net and also at WebMD, a medical information Web site, accessible at http://www.webmd.com.
posted by AIDS-Care-Watch at 2:28 pm
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