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Acute (disease)
Of short duration, usually with an abrupt onset, and sometimes severe, as opposed to long-term (chronic) disease.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
The most severe manifestation of infection with the human immuno deficiency virus (HIV). AIDS is a medical diagnosis referring to infection with HIV plus one or more defining illnesses or conditions and/or laboratory abnormalities.
AIDS Indicator Conditions
One or more of a list of illnesses which, in combination with a positive HIV test, indicates progression to AIDS.
Amniotic Fluid
The watery fluid that surrounds the unborn child in the uterus.
Anonymous Testing
The person who performs the HIV antibody test does not maintain a record of the name of the person they are testing. Positive results of anonymous tests are not reportable to local public health officials.
Antibody
Substances that a person's immune system develops to help fight infection, or indicate that the body has been exposed to an antigen.
Antibody Positive
The result of a test or series of tests to detect antibodies in blood. An antigen causes the immune system to form antibodies to fight the antigen.
Antigen
Substance such as HIV that is foreign to a person's body. An antigen causes the immune system to form antibodies to fight an antigen like HIV.
Antiviral Drug
A drug that can interfere with the life cycle of a virus. Also called antiretroviral drugs.
Asymptomatic
Having a disease but showing no outward sign of disease. The condition of testing positive for HIV antibodies without showing any HIV Seropositive symptoms of disease. Many people with HIV do not look or feel "sick." A person who is HIV positive, even without symptoms, is capable of transmitting the virus to others.
AZT (Zidovudine)
The first FDA-approved drug used to treat AIDS and HIV infection. Also called ZDV.
Bloodborne
Any pathogen (like a virus or bacteria) present in blood or other potentially infectious material.
Bloodborne Pathogens
Bloodborne pathogen (BBP) standards are enforced by the Department of Labor and Industries. BBP training may be an annual requirement of certain jobs.
Bodily Fluids
Fluids produced by the body. In the context of HIV prevention, blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk are considered infectious bodily fluids.
Carrier
A person who is apparently healthy, but who is infected with some disease-causing organism (such as HIV or HBV) that can be transmitted to another person.
CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a federal health agency which is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The CDC provides national health and safety guidelines and statistical data on AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), hepatitis and other diseases.
Chronic (disease)
Lasting a long time, or recurring often.
Confidential Testing
The patient gives their real name and the results of the HIV antibody test are known only to that individual and the healthcare provider performing the test. Positive results from confidential tests are now reportable to local public health officials.
Diagnosis
Identifying a disease by its signs, symptoms, course, and laboratory findings.
ELISA/EIA Test
A screening blood test for the presence of antibodies to HIV. A positive result from an ELISA/EIA test always needs to be confirmed by a second ELISA/EIA test and an FDA-approved confirmatory test, such as the Western Blot.
Epidemiology
The study of the incidence, distribution and control of a disease in a population.
Etiology
The causes or origins of a disease.
Exposure
The act or condition of coming in contact with, but not necessarily being infected by, a disease-causing agent.
False Negative
A negative antibody test result in a person who is, in fact, infected with HIV. Generally, this occurs when the infected individual has not yet produced enough antibodies to be detected by the test. See "window period."
HAART
Highly active antiretroviral therapy. The use of combinations of medicines to prevent the development of or treat AIDS in someone who is HIV-positive.
Helper/Suppressor T-Cells
White blood cells (lymphocytes) that are part of the immune system.
Hepatitis B (HBV)
One of several different viral infections affecting the liver. The effects of the disease on the liver can range from mild and even inapparent to severe or fatal. HBV is transmitted in the same way that HIV is transmitted. HBV is vaccine-preventable.
Hepatitis C (HCV)
Another of the hepatitis viruses that affect the liver. As with HBV, the effects of the disease vary by person. HCV is usually transmitted through infected blood. At this time, there is no vaccine for HCV.
High-Risk Behavior
A term that describes certain activities, which increase the risk of
transmitting HIV or HBV. These include anal, vaginal or oral intercourse without a condom and sharing injection equipment.
HIV Screening Test
Antibody A blood test that reveals the presence of antibodies to HIV.
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the cause of AIDS.
HIV Antibody Negative
A test result indicating that antibodies to HIV have not been found. The test may be a "false negative" if the individual has been recently infected. Also referred to as HIV-negative.
HIV Antibody Positive
A test result indicating that antibodies to HIV are found. The person is infected with HIV and infectious to others for life. Also referred to as HIV-positive.
HIV Infection
The term that describes the spectrum of HIV infection. Time-wise, it is described as a progression from asymptomatic seropositive to AIDS.
HIV RNA/DNA Tests
Blood tests which may be done for people with documented exposure to HIV through unprotected sexual intercourse or needle sharing. The tests can be run during primary infection. These tests are expensive, not meant for general screening, and not used for the general public at this time.
Immune Status
The state of the body's immune system. Factors affecting immune status include heredity, age, diet, and physical and mental health.
Immune System
A body system that helps resist disease-causing germs, viruses or other infections.
Immunosuppressed
A condition or state of the body in which the immune system does not work normally.
Infection
A condition or state of the body in which a disease-causing agent has entered it.
Injection Drugs
Drugs injected by needle directly into a vein, skin or muscle.
Non-intact Skin
Skin that is chapped, abraded, weeping, has rashes or eruptions.
OPIM
Other potentially infectious material. As defined in the Bloodborne Pathogens standard, fluids other than blood that may transmit disease, including HIV.
Opportunistic Infections
Infections that are usually warded off by a healthy immune system. If the immune system is not strong and effective, these infections "take the opportunity" to harm the body.
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
p24 Antigen Test
Blood test measuring a core protein of HIV, which presents during the first few weeks of infection, but may disappear as soon as antibodies to the virus are produced.
Pathogen
A disease-causing substance or organism.
Percutaneously
Entering the body through the skin; for example, by needlestick or on broken skin.
Pericardial Fluid
A clear fluid contained in the thin, membranous sac that surrounds the heart.
Perinatal
Happening just before, during or immediately after birth.
Peritoneal Fluid
Fluid contained in the membrane lining of the abdominal cavity.
Personal Hygiene Items
Any personal item, including but not limited to razors, toothbrushes, towels or other personal care items that may be contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids capable of transmitting HIV. Personal hygiene items should not be shared.
Personal Protective Equipment
Equipment including, but not limited to, gloves, masks, eyewear and face shields, which will be provided by an employer and worn by employees as appropriate when the employee will or may come into contact with bloodborne pathogens.
Pleural Fluid
Fluid contained in the membrane that covers the lung and lines the chest cavity.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
The provision of anti-HIV medications (antiviral medications) to someone who has had a substantial exposure, usually to the blood of another person. PEP should be started optimally within 2 hours of the exposure, preferably within 24 hours of exposure. PEP can only be provided by a medical practitioner and after evaluation of the possible exposure.
Primary HIV Infection
The first 4-6 weeks of HIV infection, when an individual may how some transient symptoms, including swollen lymph nodes, fever, and sore throat. These symptoms may be mistaken for other illnesses and usually pass quickly. It is usually possible to detect HIV at this stage; however, many people who are newly infected do not get tested and are unaware of their infection.
Prophylaxis
Any substance or steps taken to prevent something from happening (for example, condoms, vaccines and possibly antiretroviral therapy).
Protease Inhibitors
A group of medications used to treat HIV infection and AIDS. These medications target HIV at various points in its life cycle.
Reportable Diseases
Under State Board of Health rules, healthcare providers are required to confidentially notify public health officials of the diagnosis of certain diseases or conditions. AIDS cases and symptomatic infection are reported and maintained by patient name. Asymptomatic HIV infection is reported by name but maintained only by coded identifier.
"Safer Sex"
Sexual practices that reduce or eliminate the opportunity for the exchange of blood, semen or vaginal secretions.
Seroconversion
The process in which a person previously known to be HIV antibody negative converts to testing positive for HIV antibodies.
Serologic Test
Any number of tests performed on blood. In this context, referring to a test that measures antibodies to HIV.
Seropositive
A condition in which antibodies to a disease-causing agent are found in the blood; a positive reaction to a blood test. The presence of antibodies indicates that a person has been exposed to the agent. See HIV antibody positive.
Sexual Intercourse
As defined in RCW 9A.44.010 - "Sexual intercourse has its ordinary meaning and occurs upon any penetration, however slight; and also means any penetration of the vagina or anus, however slight, by an object, when committed on one person by another, whether such persons are the same or opposite sex, except when such penetration is accomplished for medically recognized treatment or diagnostic purposes; and also act of sexual contact between persons involving the sex organs of one person and the mouth or anus of another whether such persons are of the same or opposite sex." Referred to in this document as anal, vaginal and/or oral sex.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Refers to the more than 25 infectious organisms (bacteria, viruses, mites, protozoa and fungi) that can be spread through sexual activity.
Standard Precautions
Term used in hospitals and some other healthcare settings. These recommendations are designed to prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens in these settings. Standard Precautions include all recommendations for universal precautions (blood or other potentially infectious materials of all patients should always be considered potentially infectious) plus the component of body substance isolation. See "universal precautions."
Sterilization
Destruction of microbial life by means of steam, gas or liquid agents.
Subcutaneous
Beneath or introduced beneath the skin (for example, subcutaneous injections).
Syndrome
A collection of signs and symptoms that occur together.
Tuberculosis (TB)
A bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB is usually transmitted when airborne droplets from someone with active infection are coughed or sneezed into the air and breathed in by someone who is susceptible to infection.
Universal Precautions
Term relating to procedures designed to prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens in healthcare and other settings. Under universal precautions, blood or other potentially infectious materials of all patients should always be considered potentially infectious for HIV and other pathogens. Employees should take appropriate precautions using personal protective equipment like gloves to prevent contact with blood.
Vaccine
A substance that produces or increases immunity and protection against disease.
Viral Load Test
A test measuring the amount of HIV or hepatitis in an infected person's blood. Often used to measure the effectiveness of antiviral medications in treating infection.
Viral Resistance
When HIV becomes resistant to one or more of the classes of medication used to treat the infection. This may happen if the medications are not taken correctly.
Virus
An organism that can cause disease.
HIV Western Blot Assay
A test used to detect proteins specific to HIV. The test can be used to confirm ELISA/EIA test results (see ELISA/EIA test).
Window Period
The time it takes for an HIV-infected person to develop antibodies to HIV. With current testing methodologies, the window period may be 2-12 weeks after infection. The CDC still advises that a small number of people may take up to six months to show antibodies.
Works
The collective term for the syringe, needle, "cooker," cotton, and rinse water - elements of the injection drug user's paraphernalia.
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