Glossary of terms
AIDS
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, this refers to the illnesses and infections which an HIV infected person succumbs to as a result of their weakened immune system.
Nowadays, the used of the word AIDS is being phased out in favour of the term “Advanced HIV disease”.
The new staging of HIV infection is follows
1. Primary infection. This stage of infection lasts for a few weeks and is often accompanied by a short flu-like illness. In up to about 20% of people the symptoms are serious enough to consult a doctor, but the diagnosis of HIV infection is frequently missed.
2. Asymptomatic Stage. This stage lasts for an average of ten years and, as its name suggests, is free from major symptoms, although there may be swollen glands. The level of HIV in the peripheral blood drops to very low levels but people remain infectious and HIV antibodies are detectable in the blood, so antibody tests will show a positive result.
3. Symptomatic stage. Over time the immune system loses the struggle to contain HIV. As the immune system fails, so symptoms develop. Initially many of the symptoms are mild, but as the immune system deteriorates the symptoms worsen. Symptomatic HIV infection is mainly caused by the emergence of opportunistic infections and cancers that the immune system would normally prevent.
4. Advanced HIV Disease. Worsening of stage 3
Antibody
A protein substance produced by the immune system in response to infection.
CD4 Cells
HIV attacks a type of immune system cell called the T-helper cell. This cell carries on its surface a protein called CD4, which HIV uses to attach itself to the cell before gaining entry. The cells carrying this protein are called CD4 cells. HIV infected cells are often damaged or destroyed. As a result, there are fewer cells available to help the immune system to fight illnesses.
The CD4 test measures the number of T-helper cells in your blood. The more cells you have per cubic millimetre of blood, the stronger is your immune system. The stronger your immune system, the better your body can fight illnesses. A low CD4 count does not mean that you will certainly become ill, but it makes it more likely.
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It affects human beings and causes weakening of the immune system
Viral Load
Viral load refers to the amount of HIV in your blood.
Like the CD4 test, the viral load test can provide important information about the likely course of HIV infection. There are different viral load tests available, which use a variety of techniques to measure the amount of virus. The results of these tests tell you whether your viral load is low, medium or high.
Viral load and CD4 tests can help you to decide whether to start treatment or not. You should talk to your doctor about the results of the tests and what they indicate. The anti-HIV drugs should reduce viral load to a level which is below the level of detection of the current tests, and the drugs should also boost CD4 levels.
