Glossary of Frequently Used Terms
Resources/Information
At SAAF, we speak the language of HIV in terms of both prevention and treatment. Here are some of the most important words and definitions you need to know.
The length of time after infection that it takes for a person to develop enough specific antibodies to be detected by our current testing methods. For our current test, this is 4 weeks to 12 weeks. It is best that you re-test 12 weeks after an event that may have put you at risk.
Acute HIV Infection:
Time period following HIV infection during which HIV virus can be detected in blood but antibodies are not. During this time, individuals with acute HIV infection are extremely infectious due to a very high viral load.
Acute Retroviral Syndrome:
Flu-like symptoms of acute HIV infection that appear 1 to 4 weeks after infection. Acute infection may also be without symptoms (asymptomatic)
Stigma:
An association of disgrace or public disapproval with something, such as an action or condition
Serodiscordant:
where one partner is HIV negative and the other is HIV positive
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP):
A way for HIV-negative people who are at very high risk to prevent getting an HIV infection by taking a pill every day
Treatment as Prevention (TasP):
The use of antiretroviral (ARV) medication to decrease the risk of HIV transmission in someone who is HIV-positive
Antibody:
A substance produced by the body to fight disease
Antigen:
a substance that causes the body to produce antibodies
Viral Load Count:
The amount of HIV in a sample of your blood
Cd4 lymphocyte cells:
A special cell of the immune system that is targeted by HIV
CD4 Count:
The number of CD4 T lymphocytes (CD4 cells) in a sample of your blood
HIV:
A viral infection that damages the immune system weakening the body's defenses against other infections
AIDS:
The stage of HIV infection that occurs when your immune system is badly damaged and you become vulnerable to opportunistic infections
Dual infection:
When someone is infected with 2 or more strains of HIV
Co-infection:
Getting HIV strains from multiple partners prior to seroconversion
Superinfection:
Getting a second or multiple HIV strain after seroconversion. This is of concern because it may lead to drug-resistance and faster disease progression
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV):
A common viral STD that causes painful genital sores
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV):
A common viral STD that can cause genital warts or cervical cancer in women
Gonorrhea:
A common bacterial STD that can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men. Gonorrhea has progressively developed resistance to the antibiotic drugs used to treat it (CDC, 2016).
Chlamydia:
A common bacterial STD which can damage a woman's reproductive organs
Hepatitis A (HAV):
A vaccine-preventable viral infection that causes non-chronic liver disease
Hepatitis B (HAB):
A vaccine-preventable viral infection that causes liver disease that can cause short and mild sickness or serious and lifelong illness
Hepatitis C (HCV):
A viral infection that causes liver disease that often results in lifelong illness
Trichomoniasis:
A common STD caused by a parasite that can cause genital irritation
Syphilis:
a bacterial STD that can cause serious and permanent health problems – including death - if left untreated
Bacterial vaginosis (BV):
A condition in women where the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted and replaced by an overgrowth of certain bacteria
Yeast Infection:
A common fungal infection that can cause genital irritation and discharge
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID):
A common and serious complication of some STDs that can permanently damage a woman's reproductive organs, which may also lead to infertility
Intrauterine Device (IUD):
A small T-shaped device that is put in the uterus by a healthcare provider, generally to prevent pregnancy