NAPWA

[salvage[salvage therapy] A treatment strategy for managing HIV in people who have developed resistance to existing therapies. therapy] A treatment strategy for managing HIV in people who have developed resistanceHIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistant. to existing therapies.

[Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome] A new respiratory illness which was first reported in Asian countries during late 2002 and early 2003. The symptoms include high fever, cough, malaise and difficulty in breathing. Several laboratory tests for the SARS[Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome] A new respiratory illness which was first reported in Asian countries during late 2002 and early 2003. The symptoms include high fever, cough, malaise and difficulty in breathing. Several laboratory tests for the SARS virus are now available. virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. are now available.

The measurable holding point or balance between the virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. and the body's immune system reported as the viral loadA measurement of the quantity of HIV RNA in the blood. Viral load blood test results are expressed as the number of copies (of HIV) per milliliter of blood plasma. measurement. The viral set pointThe measurable holding point or balance between the virus and the body's immune system reported as the viral load measurement. The viral set point is established within a few weeks to months after infection and is thought to remain steady for an indefinite period of time. Set points are thought to determine how long it will take for disease progression to occur. [NIH] is established within a few weeks to months after infection and is thought to remain steady for an indefinite period of time. Set points are thought to determine how long it will take for disease progression to occur. [NIH]

Any undesired actions or effects of a drug or treatment. Negative or adverse effects may include headache, nausea, hair loss, skin irritation, or other physical problems. Experimental(Of a drug) Not licensed for use in humans, or as a treatment for a particular condition. Experimental drugs are studied in clinical trials to determine their safety and efficacy, and are sometimes made available via Special Access Schemes prior to their approval. drugs must be evaluated for both immediate and long-term side effects.

Before a drug has been approved, manufacturers often provide the drug free of charge to people who cannot participate in a clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trialA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. and who meet certain criteria under a Special Access Scheme (SASBefore a drug has been approved, manufacturers often provide the drug free of charge to people who cannot participate in a clinical trial and who meet certain criteria under a Special Access Scheme (SAS). ).

A substance which is structurally similar to human sex hormones which is used for therapeutic purposes due to its anti-inflammatory effects.

[Sexually Transmissible (or Transmitted) Infection] Infections spread by the transfer of organisms from person to person during sexual contact. Also called venereal disease (VD) (an older public health term) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

[HIV strain[HIV strain] Any subgroup of the HIV species. Because HIV mutates very easily, there are many different strains (and may be multiple strains within a single person).] Any subgroup of the HIV species. Because HIV mutates very easily, there are many different strains (and may be multiple strains within a single person).

[HIV subtype or clade] A genetically distinct subtype of HIV within a defined HIV group. Group MOne of three groups into which different strains of HIV-1 have been classified: group M ("major"), group O ("outlier") and group N ("new"). The vast majority of HIV strains belong to group M. has nine known subtypes[HIV subtype or clade] A genetically distinct subtype of HIV within a defined HIV group. Group M has nine known subtypes -- A, B, C, D, F, G, H, J and K. -- A, B, C, D, F, G, H, J and K.