HIV/AIDS Glossary of TermsThe following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the HIV/AIDS article.
Abdominal: Relating to the abdomen, the belly, that part of the body that contains all of ... See the entire definition of AbdominalAbdominal pain: Pain in the belly. Abdominal pain can be acute or chronic. It may reflect ... See the entire definition of Abdominal painAbnormal: Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient. Acquired: Not inherited, or present at birth (congenital), but developing after birth. For... See the entire definition of AcquiredAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome: AIDS. AIDS is a disease due to infection with the huma... See the entire definition of Acquired immunodeficiency syndromeAnemia: The condition of having a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells or quantity ... See the entire definition of AnemiaAntibody: An immunoglobulin, a specialized immune protein, produced because of the introdu... See the entire definition of AntibodyAntiretroviral: An agent or process effective against a retrovirus. For example, a drug to... See the entire definition of AntiretroviralAsymptomatic: Without symptoms. For example, an asymptomatic infection is an infection wit... See the entire definition of AsymptomaticAZT: Azidothymidine, now renamed zidovudine, but still best known by the abbreviation AZT.... See the entire definition of AZTBacteria: Single-celled microorganisms that can exist either as independent (free-living) ... See the entire definition of BacteriaBacterial: Of or pertaining to bacteria, as in a bacterial lung infection. Bacterial vaginosis: A vaginal condition characterized by an abnormal vaginal discharge du... See the entire definition of Bacterial vaginosisBrain: The portion of the central nervous system that is located within the skull. It func... See the entire definition of BrainBreastfeeding: Feeding a child human breast milk. According to the American Academy of Ped... See the entire definition of BreastfeedingCancer: An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, ... See the entire definition of CancerCDC: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US agency charged with tracking a... See the entire definition of CDCCell: The basic structural and functional unit of any living thing. Each cell is a small c... See the entire definition of CellCenters for Disease Control and Prevention: The US agency charged with tracking and invest... See the entire definition of Centers for Disease Control and PreventionChest: The area of the body located between the neck and the abdomen. The chest contains t... See the entire definition of ChestCholesterol: The most common type of steroid in the body. Cholesterol has a reputation for... See the entire definition of CholesterolCirculation: In medicine, the movement of fluid through the body in a regular or circuitou... See the entire definition of CirculationCough: A rapid expulsion of air from the lungs, typically in order to clear the lung airwa... See the entire definition of CoughCritical care: The specialized care of patients whose conditions are life-threatening and ... See the entire definition of Critical careCure: 1. To heal, to make well, to restore to good health. 2. A time withou... See the entire definition of CureDiabetes: Refers to diabetes mellitus or, less often, to diabetes insipidus. Diabetes mell... See the entire definition of DiabetesDiagnosis: 1 The nature of a disease; the identification of an illness. 2 A ... See the entire definition of DiagnosisDiarrhea: A common condition that involves unusually frequent and liquid bowel movements. ... See the entire definition of DiarrheaDNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid. One of two types of molecules that encode genetic information... See the entire definition of DNADonor: The giver of a tissue or an organ, such as a blood donor or kidney donor. Emergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medica... See the entire definition of Emergency departmentEnzyme: A protein (or protein-based molecule) that speeds up a chemical reaction in a livi... See the entire definition of EnzymeEsophagus: The tube that connects the pharynx (throat) with the stomach. The esophagus lie... See the entire definition of EsophagusFDA: Food and Drug Administration. Fetus: An unborn offspring, from the embryo stage (the end of the eighth week after concep... See the entire definition of FetusFever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr... See the entire definition of FeverFinger prick: A procedure in which a finger is pricked with a lancet to obtain a small qua... See the entire definition of Finger prickFungi: Plural of fungus. Gastrointestinal: Adjective referring collectively to the stomach and small and large inte... See the entire definition of GastrointestinalGenes: The basic biological units of heredity. Segments of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nee... See the entire definition of GenesGenetic: Having to do with genes and genetic Genital: Pertaining to the external and/or internal organs of reproduction. Genital herpes: An infection by human herpes virus that is transmitted through intimate co... See the entire definition of Genital herpesGonorrhea: A bacterial infection that is transmitted by sexual contact. Gonorrhea is one o... See the entire definition of GonorrheaHAART: Stands for highly active antiretroviral therapy.... See the entire definition of HAARTHeadache: A pain in the head with the pain being above the eyes or the ears, behind the he... See the entire definition of HeadacheHepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, irrespective of the cause. Hepatitis is caused by a ... See the entire definition of HepatitisHepatitis C: Inflammation of the liver due to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is usuall... See the entire definition of Hepatitis CHerpes: A family of viruses. Herpes also refers to infection with one of the human herpesv... See the entire definition of HerpesHeterosexual: A person sexually attracted to persons of the opposite sex. Or a person who... See the entire definition of HeterosexualHistoplasmosis: A disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Most people with hi... See the entire definition of HistoplasmosisHIV: Acronym for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodefi... See the entire definition of HIVHIV test: A test for the human immunodeficiency virus, the cause of AIDS. HIV tests are de... See the entire definition of HIV testHPV: Human papillomavirus. Human immunodeficiency virus: HIV, the cause of AIDS. HIV has also been called the human... See the entire definition of Human immunodeficiency virusHuman papillomavirus: HPV. A family of over 100 viruses including those which cause warts ... See the entire definition of Human papillomavirusImmune: Protected against infection, usually by the presence of antibodies. Immune system: A complex system that is responsible for distinguishing a person from every... See the entire definition of Immune systemImmunodeficiency: The inability to form a normal immune response. Immunodeficiency can be ... See the entire definition of ImmunodeficiencyIndication: 1. In medicine, a condition which makes a particular treatment or proce... See the entire definition of IndicationInfection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an... See the entire definition of InfectionInflammation: A localized reaction that produces redness, warmth, swelling, and pain as a ... See the entire definition of InflammationInsulin: A natural hormone made by the pancreas that controls the level of the sugar gluco... See the entire definition of InsulinLabor: Childbirth, the process of delivering a baby and the placenta, membranes, and umbil... See the entire definition of LaborLaboratory: A place for doing tests and research procedures, and for preparing chemicals a... See the entire definition of LaboratoryLiver: The largest solid organ in the body, situated in the upper part of the abdomen on t... See the entire definition of LiverLymph: The almost colorless fluid that travels through the lymphatic system, carrying cell... See the entire definition of LymphLymphoid: Referring to lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, or to tissue in which lymp... See the entire definition of LymphoidLymphoid tissue: The part of the body's immune system that is important for the immune res... See the entire definition of Lymphoid tissueLymphoma: A tumor of the lymphoid tissue. The major types of lymphoma are Hodgkin's diseas... See the entire definition of LymphomaMaternal: 1. Pertaining to the mother as, for example, the maternal mortality rate.... See the entire definition of MaternalMortality: A fatal outcome or, in one word, death. The word "mortality" is derived from "m... See the entire definition of MortalityMouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con... See the entire definition of MouthMycobacterium: A large family of bacteria that have unusually waxy cell walls that are res... See the entire definition of MycobacteriumMycobacterium avium: A slow-growing bacterium found in the soil and in dust particles tha... See the entire definition of Mycobacterium aviumMycobacterium avium complex: A serious opportunistic infection that is caused by two simil... See the entire definition of Mycobacterium avium complexNeck: The part of the body joining the head to the shoulders. Also, any narrow or constric... See the entire definition of NeckNerve: A bundle of fibers that uses electrical and chemical signals to transmit sensory an... See the entire definition of NerveNucleotide: A subunit of DNA or RNA that consists of a nitrogenous base (A, G, T, or C in ... See the entire definition of NucleotidePain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa... See the entire definition of PainPancreas: A spongy, tube-shaped organ that is about 6 inches long and is located in the ba... See the entire definition of PancreasPediatrics: The field of medicine that is concerned with the health of infants, children, ... See the entire definition of PediatricsPenis: The external male sex organ. The penis contains two chambers, the corpora cavernosa... See the entire definition of PenisPharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup... See the entire definition of PharmacyPneumocystis: Pneumocystis jiroveci (previously classified as Pneumocystis carinii), the o... See the entire definition of PneumocystisPneumonia: Inflammation of one or both lungs, with dense areas of lung inflammation. Pneum... See the entire definition of PneumoniaPregnancy: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. Thi... See the entire definition of PregnancyPregnant: The state of carrying a developing fetus within the body. Prognosis: The forecast of the probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient's chan... See the entire definition of PrognosisProtease: An enzyme that can split a protein into the peptides from which it was originall... See the entire definition of ProteaseProtein: One of the three nutrients used as energy sources (calories) by the body. Protein... See the entire definition of ProteinPulmonary: Having to do with the lungs. Rash: Breaking out (eruption) of the skin. A rash can be caused by an underlying medical c... See the entire definition of RashRecipient: In medicine, someone who is given something, such as a blood transfusion or an ... See the entire definition of RecipientRectum: The last 6 to 8 inches of the large intestine. The rectum stores solid waste until... See the entire definition of RectumReplication: A turning back, repetition, duplication, reproduction. Resistance: Opposition to something, or the ability to withstand something. For example, s... See the entire definition of ResistanceRespiratory: Having to do with respiration. Reverse transcriptase: An enzyme that permits DNA to be made, using RNA as the template. A... See the entire definition of Reverse transcriptaseRisk factor: Something that increases a person's chances of developing a disease. For exam... See the entire definition of Risk factorRNA: Ribonucleic acid. Saliva: a watery secretion in the mouth produced by the salivary glands that aids in the d... See the entire definition of SalivaSarcoma: One of a group of tumors usually arising from connective tissue. Most sarcomas ar... See the entire definition of SarcomaSemen: The fluid that is released through the penis during orgasm. Semen is made up of flu... See the entire definition of SemenShortness of breath: Difficulty in breathing. Medically referred to as dyspnea. Shortness ... See the entire definition of Shortness of breathStage: As regards cancer, the extent of a cancer, especially whether the disease has spre... See the entire definition of StageStem cell: One of the human body's master cells, with the ability to grow into any one of ... See the entire definition of Stem cellStroke: The sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen, caused by blockage of blood... See the entire definition of StrokeSwallowing tube: Descriptive term for the esophagus. See: Esophagus. Syndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process. Syphilis: A sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum, a microscopic orga... See the entire definition of SyphilisTherapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment. Tiredness: See: Tired. Toxicity: The degree to which a substance (a toxin or poison) can harm humans or animals. ... See the entire definition of ToxicityToxicology: The study of the nature, effects, and detection of poisons (toxins) and the tr... See the entire definition of ToxicologyTransfusion: The transfer of blood or blood products from one person (the donor) into the ... See the entire definition of TransfusionTransplant: The grafting of a tissue from one place to another, just as in botany a bu... See the entire definition of TransplantUrine: Liquid waste produced by the kidneys. Urine is a clear, transparent fluid that norm... See the entire definition of UrineVagina: The muscular canal that extends from the cervix to the outside of the body. It is ... See the entire definition of VaginaViral: Of or pertaining to a virus. For example, if a person has a viral rash, the rash wa... See the entire definition of ViralVirus: A microorganism that is smaller than a bacterium that cannot grow or reproduce apar... See the entire definition of VirusViruses: Small living particles that can infect cells and change how the cells function. I... See the entire definition of VirusesVulva: The female external genital organs, including the labia, clitoris, and entrance to ... See the entire definition of VulvaWeight loss: Weight loss is a decrease in body weight resulting from either voluntary (die... See the entire definition of Weight lossWestern blot: A technique in molecular biology that is used to separate and identify parti... See the entire definition of Western blotWheezing: A whistling noise in the chest during breathing. Wheezing occurs when the airway... See the entire definition of WheezingWhite blood cell: One of the cells the body makes to help fight infections. There are seve... See the entire definition of White blood cellYeast infection: Overgrowth of yeast can affect the skin (yeast rash), mouth (thrush), di... See the entire definition of Yeast infectionZidovudine: See: AZT.
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