HIV NPEP Access Toolkit > Key Terms
Key Terms
Below are definitions of some key terms that may be encountered while navigating this tool kit (HIV.gov, n.d.):
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
A disease of the immune system due to infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Without treatment, AIDS can lead to progressive failure of the immune system allowing life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive.
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
An HIV treatment which involves taking a combination of three or more antiretroviral (ARV) drugs from at least two different HIV drug classes on a daily basis. Antiretroviral drugs combat HIV infections by attacking the virus' DNA.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
A federal agency housed within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The CDC protects the health and safety of people at home and abroad through health promotion, prevention and control of disease and injury, public health workforce development and training, and preparedness for new health threats.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
A virus that attacks the human immune system. No cure exists for AIDS, but strict adherence to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) can dramatically slow the disease's progress, prevent secondary infections and complications, and prolong life.
Non-Occupational Post Exposure Prophylaxis (nPEP)
Used to prevent HIV infection after you have been exposed to the virus. The 28-day course of antiretroviral drugs is used as soon as possible (but no later than 72 hours) after a high-risk exposure to HIV. Non-occupational exposure refers to exposure to an infectious agent that occurs outside of one’s work, for example during sex or when people share needles to inject drugs. The purpose of non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) is to help reduce (but not eliminate) the risk of infection.
Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) or Nucleic Acid Amplification Test
Any one of various laboratory tests used to detect the genetic material of a microorganism, such as HIV, in the blood. The viral load (HIV RNA) test is a type of nucleic acid test (NAT).
Opportunistic Infection (OI)
An infection that occurs more frequently or is more severe in people with weakened immune systems, such as people with HIV or people receiving chemotherapy, than in people with healthy immune systems.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
An HIV prevention method for people who are HIV negative and at high risk of HIV infection. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) involves taking a specific combination of HIV medications daily. PrEP is even more effective when it is combined with condoms and other prevention tools.
Rapid HIV Test
A type of HIV antibody test used to screen for HIV infection. A rapid HIV antibody test can detect HIV antibodies in blood or oral fluid with results obtained in less than 30 minutes. There is also a rapid antigen/antibody test available. A positive rapid HIV antibody test must be confirmed by a second test for a person to be definitively diagnosed with HIV infection.
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program
The largest federally funded program providing HIV-related services to low-income, uninsured, and underinsured people with HIV/AIDS. The program’s services are available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
Seroconversion
The transition from infection with HIV to the detectable presence of HIV antibodies in the blood. When seroconversion occurs (usually within a few weeks of infection), the result of an HIV antibody test changes from HIV negative to HIV positive.
Subclinical Infection
An infection that has no symptoms or noticeable signs. A subclinical infection may be an early stage of an infection or a very mild infection.
Viral Latency
When a virus is present in the body but exists in a resting (latent) state without producing more virus. A latent viral infection usually does not cause any noticeable symptoms and can last a long period of time before becoming active and causing symptoms. HIV is capable of viral latency, as seen in the reservoirs of latent HIV-infected cells that persist in a person’s body despite antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Viral Load (VL)
The amount of HIV in a sample of blood. VL is reported as the number of HIV RNA copies per milliliter of blood. An important goal of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is to suppress a person’s VL to an undetectable level—a level too low for the virus to be detected by a VL test.
Viral Load Test
A laboratory test that measures the amount of HIV in a blood sample. Results are reported as the number of copies of HIV RNA per milliliter of blood. Viral load tests are used to diagnose acute HIV infection, guide treatment choices, and monitor response to antiretroviral therapy (ART)