T cell

A type of immune system cell which is damaged in the course of HIV infection. CD4 and CD8 cells are both sub-types of T cell.

T helper cells

T cells that alert the immune system to produce cytotoxic T lymphocytes against a specific infection.

TB

Short for Tuberculosis.

teratogenic

(te-rat-o-gen-ick)

Causing physical defects in the foetus.

therapeutic vaccine

(the-rup-you-tick vax-zine)

A vaccine-like product used with the aim of improving the immune function of someone who already has an infection, rather than of preventing the infection.

thrombocytopenia

(throm-bow-sy-to-pee-nee-uh)

A decreased number of specific cells in the blood responsible for blood clotting.

thrush

A fungal infection of the mouth, throat or genitals, marked by white patches. Also called candidiasis.

thymus

A gland in the chest where T cells produced in the bone marrow mature into effective immune system components.

tid

tid

Abbreviation of a Latin term meaning three times a day.

titre

(ty-tra)

A laboratory measurement of the amount, or concentration, of a given component in solution.

tiw

Abbreviation of a Latin term meaning three times a week.

tonsils

Two oval lymph node-like structures situated where the mouth joins the throat.

topical

(top-i-kull)

Applied directly to the affected area, as opposed to systemic.

toxicity

(tocks-i-city)

The extent or ways in which a drug is poisonous to the body.

toxin

(tock-sin)

A poisonous substance.

toxoplasmosis

(tock-so-plaz-mo-siss)

A disease due to infection with the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii, usually causing inflammation of the brain.

transaminase

(trans-am-in-ayze)

An enzyme that can be measured in a blood sample that indicates the health of the liver.

triglycerides

(try-gliss-er-ides)

The basic 'building blocks' from which fats are formed.

trough level

(troff le-vull)

The lowest point to which levels of a drug fall in the blood between doses.

tuberculosis

(chew-bur-queue-low-siss)

A disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

tumour

(chew-ma)

Growth of tissues that perform no useful function, sometimes due to cancer.