Glossary of HIV/AIDS Terms
This glossary contains 1,600 terms and is maintained by the editors of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation's Bulletin of Experimental Treatments for AIDS.
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vaccination: See immunization.
vaccine: a preparation administered to stimulate an immune response; vaccines typically include killed or attenuated (weakened or inactivated) microorganisms, their proteins, or genetically engineered pieces (subunits). A preventive (prophylactic) vaccine is used to prevent initial infection, while a therapeutic (treatment) vaccine is given after infection to enhance the body?s immune response and arrest disease progression or reduce its severity.
vaginal candidiasis (aka vulvovaginal candidiasis): See candidiasis.
vaginitis: inflammation of the vagina, often characterized by redness, irritation, itching, and/or discharge.
vaginosis: See bacterial vaginosis.
varicella-zoster virus (acronym VZV, aka human herpesvirus 3): a herpesvirus that initially causes chickenpox (varicella), usually in children; VZV lies dormant within the nerves and may later reactivate to cause herpes zoster (shingles), especially in immunosuppressed individuals.
varices (adjective variceal): stretched and weakened blood vessels that may burst, causing internal bleeding.
vascular: refers to blood vessels; vascularization refers to the growth and proliferation of blood vessels.
vasculitis: inflammation of the blood vessels.
vector: an agent used as a vehicle for transfer. A disease vector is an agent (e.g., an insect) that transfers a pathogen from one individual to another; a viral vector is an engineered virus used to introduce genes into cells, or a live virus used as an antigen delivery vehicle in a vaccine.
vertical transmission: See mother-to-child transmission.
very low density lipoprotein (aka VLDL): See cholesterol.
Videx: brand name of ddI.
vif: an HIV gene that allows the virus to infect cells; also refers to the protein (Vif) produced by this gene.
Viracept: brand name of nelfinavir.
viral breakthrough: an increase in viral load while on antiviral treatment.
viral load (aka viral burden): amount of viral genetic material (RNA or DNA) in the blood or other tissues, often expressed as number of copies per milliliter (mL). The presence of HIV RNA indicates that the virus is actively replicating; changes in HIV RNA level may be used to gauge disease progression and whether a treatment is working. Standard HIV viral load tests are the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and the branched-chain DNA (bDNA) test.
viral rebound: an increase in viral load following a previous decrease.
viral suppression: cessation of detectable viral replication; undetectable viral load.
viral turnover: the rate at which a virus dies and is regenerated.
Viramune: brand name of nevirapine.
Viread: brand name of tenofovir DF.
viremia (adjective viremic): the presence of virus in the blood.
virion: a complete virus particle.
virological failure: treatment breakthrough or viral rebound; an increase in viral load after it has been suppressed with antiretroviral drugs.
virological response: reduction in viral replication in response to treatment, especially achievement of an undetectable viral load; sustained virological response (SVR) refers to continued lack of detectable virus after the completion of treatment.
virology (adjective virological): the study of viruses and diseases they cause.
virucide: a substance that kills or destroys viruses.
virulence (adjective virulent): aggressiveness, ability to cause disease.
virus: one of a group of minute organisms that cannot grow or reproduce outside a host cell; various families of viruses infect humans, animals, plants, and bacteria. During replication, a virus integrates its genetic material (DNA or RNA) into a host cell and takes over the cell's biological machinery to reproduce new virus particles.
viscera (adjective visceral): the major internal organs of the body (e.g., intestines, liver) located in the abdominal cavity.
vitamin: an organic substance that acts as a coenzyme and/or regulator of metabolic processes and is crucial for many bodily functions. There are more than a dozen known vitamins, most of which are available in foods or supplements; some are produced within the body.
vitamin A: a fat-soluble vitamin, synthesized from beta carotene within the body, which has antioxidant properties and is important for proper immune system functioning.
vitamin B: a complex of several important vitamins including B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid), and B12 (cobalamin). As a group, the B vitamins are required for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids; for proper neural functioning and mood regulation; and for the health of the muscles, bones, eyes, skin, mucous membranes, and hair.
vitamin C (aka ascorbic acid): an antioxidant vitamin that protects cells from oxidative damage; vitamin C is necessary for the production of collagen, hormones, and neurotransmitters, and may play a role in fighting infection.
vitamin D: a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for mineral metabolism and may play a role in immune function; vitamin D is manufactured within the skin when exposed to sunlight.
vitamin E (aka tocopherol): an antioxidant vitamin that protects cell membranes from oxidative damage.
VLDL: See cholesterol.
vpr: an HIV gene that appears to play a role in infectivity and pathogenesis; also refers to the protein (Vpr) produced by this gene.
vpu: an HIV gene that appears to influence infectivity and virulence; also refers to the protein (Vpu) produced by this gene.
vulva: the external female genitalia, including the clitoris and the inner and outer labia surrounding the urethral and vaginal openings.
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