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Terms for subject Medical (3020 entries)

viral load test	A laboratory test that measures the amount of HIV in a blood sample. Results are reported as the number of copies of HIV RNA per milliliter of blood. Examples of viral load tests include quantitative branched DNA (bDNA) reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and qualitative transcription-mediated amplification. Viral load tests are used to diagnose acute HIV infection, guide treatment choices, and monitor response to antiretroviral therapy (ART)
syncytium	A large cell-like structure that forms when many cells fuse together. Syncytia can form during viral infection. In some people with HIV, syncytia formation has been linked to more rapid progression of HIV infection.
protein	A large molecule made up of a series of peptides—one or more long chains of amino acids. The specific sequence of the amino acids determines the protein's structure and function. Proteins are essential to all living organisms.
salmonella septicemia	A life-threatening Salmonella infection that has spread to the bloodstream. Salmonella septicemia can be caused by any of the Salmonella bacteria, which are found in contaminated food and water. The infection is systemic and affects virtually every organ system. The most common symptom is a fever that comes and goes. In people with HIV, recurrent Salmonella septicemia is an AIDS-defining condition.
thrombocytopenia	A lower-than-normal number of blood platelets.
self-administered therapy (SAT)	A method of drug administration in which a person takes medication without being observed by a health care professional.
virus	A microscopic infectious agent that requires a living host cell in order to replicate. Viruses often cause disease in humans, including measles, mumps, rubella, polio, influenza, and the common cold. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
true negative	A negative test result that correctly indicates that the condition being tested for is not present. For example, a true negative HIV test correctly indicates that a person is not infected with HIV
vacuolar myelopathy	A neurological disorder associated with advanced HIV infection. Vacuolar myelopathy causes the protective myelin sheath to pull away from nerve cells of the spinal cord, forming small holes (vacuoles) in nerve fibers. Symptoms of vacuolar myelopathy include weak and stiff legs and unsteadiness when walking.
shingles	A non-contagious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV or HHV-3) VZV is the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus remains in the nervous system of people who have had chickenpox, and it can become active years later to cause shingles. Symptoms of shingles can include numbness, itching, and severe pain that is followed by a rash of blister-like lesions along one side of the body. The pain can persist for weeks, months, or years after the rash heals. People with HIV are more at risk for shingles than people with healthy immune systems.
seborrheic dermatitis	A non-contagious inflammatory skin condition characterized by flaky, white to yellowish scales on various areas of the body, including the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, ears, and trunk. Seborrheic dermatitis can occur with or without redness. The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, but it may be due to an overproduction of skin oil combined with irritation from a yeast. Factors that might increase the risk of seborrheic dermatitis include family history, stress, fatigue, use of alcohol-containing lotions, skin disorders, obesity, HIV infection, and certain neurologic conditions.
drug holiday	A planned break from treatment, during which a person stops taking medications. Structured treatment interruptions (STIs) may be used to reduce toxic effects of medications, to enhance a medication's effectiveness when restarted, or as a step towards stopping treatment all together. Structured interruption of HIV treatment is not recommended outside of controlled clinical trials.
structured treatment interruption (STI)	A planned break from treatment, during which a person stops taking medications. Structured treatment interruptions (STIs) may be used to reduce toxic effects of medications, to enhance a medication's effectiveness when restarted, or as a step towards stopping treatment all together. Structured interruption of HIV treatment is not recommended outside of controlled clinical trials.
true positive	A positive test result that correctly indicates that the condition being tested for is present. For example, a true positive HIV test correctly indicates that a person is infected with HIV.
lumbar puncture	A procedure in which a needle is inserted into the lower region of the spinal cord to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) The CSF is examined in a laboratory to diagnose and monitor certain infections. A spinal tap may also be performed to inject drugs or to reduce spinal fluid pressure.
spinal tap	A procedure in which a needle is inserted into the lower region of the spinal cord to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) The CSF is examined in a laboratory to diagnose and monitor certain infections. A spinal tap may also be performed to inject drugs or to reduce spinal fluid pressure.
receptor	A protein that is located inside or on the surface of a cell and that binds to a specific substance, such as a hormone, antigen, virus, or neurotransmitter. The binding of the substance to the cell receptor causes a change in the activity of the cell. In order to enter a host cell, HIV must first bind to receptors on the host cell.
progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)	A rare disorder of the central nervous system caused by the John Cunningham virus (JCV) Most people are infected with JCV by 10 years of age; however, only people with weakened immune systems develop progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) PML is primarily characterized by damage to myelin in the brain. Symptoms of PML vary and can include headache, loss of coordination, loss of speech, vision problems, and progressive weakness in the arms and legs. In people with HIV, PML is an AIDS-defining condition.
therapeutic index (TI)	A ratio that compares the blood concentration at which a drug becomes toxic and the concentration at which the drug is effective. The larger the therapeutic index (TI) the safer the drug is. If the TI is small (the difference between the two concentrations is very small) the drug must be dosed carefully and the person receiving the drug should be monitored closely for any signs of drug toxicity.
tanner staging	A scale used to classify the onset and progression of puberty in children and adolescents. The scale describes five stages of physical development on the basis of sex characteristics, such as pubic hair growth, development of genitalia in boys, and development of breasts in girls. Because children mature at different rates, health care providers use Tanner staging (in addition to age) to determine appropriate dosing of drugs to treat HIV infection and opportunistic infections.