2008 Woodie Awards
Commonly misunderstood definitions
By: Karen McGlenn
Issue date: 11/30/06 Section: AIDS awareness day at Webster
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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."
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."
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