Glossary

Allergic reaction: A reaction by the immune system to a substance, such as a medicine, that in most people would cause no symptoms    

CD4: A molecule on the surface of some cells on to which HIV can bind. The CD4 count roughly reflects the state of the immune system.

Clinical trial: A research study with people, usually to find out how well a new drug or treatment works and how safe it is.

Entry inhibitor: Family of antiretrovirals that includes maraviroc.

Fusion inhibitor: Family of antiretrovirals that includes T-20.

Hypersensitivity: Another word for allergy.

Integrase inhibitor: The family of antiretrovirals that includes raltegravir

NNRTI: Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, the family of antiretrovirals that includes efavirenz, etravirine and nevirapine.

NRTI: Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, the family of antiretrovirals that includes 3TC, abacavir, AZT, d4T, ddI and FTC.

Protease inhibitor: The family of antiretrovirals that includes atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir and tipranavir.

Resistance: A drug-resistant HIV strain is one that is less sensitive to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs because of changes in its structure.

Side-effect: An unwanted secondary effect of a treatment.