What to know
These are some of the terms currently used by ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø's Division of HIV Prevention. This list of terms and their definitions may change over time.
Common terms and definitions
AIDS: Acronym for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV.
Antibodies: Produced by your immune system when you're exposed to viruses like HIV.
Antibody test: An HIV test that looks for HIV antibodies in your blood or oral fluid.
Antigens: Foreign substances that cause your immune system to activate.
Antigen/antibody test: An HIV test thatlooks for both HIV antibodies and antigens.
ART: Acronym for antiretroviral therapy. ART is medicine used to treat HIV.
CD4 count: The number of CD4 cells you have in your blood. CD4 cells help your body fight infections.
Cisgender person: A person whose sex assigned at birth is the same as their gender identity or expression.
Diagnoses: The number of people who received an HIV diagnosis during a given year.
HIV: Acronym for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system.
HIV superinfection: When a person with HIV also gets another type, or strain, of the HIV virus.
Health equity: When everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health.
Health disparities: Differences in health outcomes between populations disadvantaged by social, economic, or environmental factors.
Incidence: The estimated number of new HIV infections during a given year.
Mucous membrane: Body tissues found inside the rectum, vagina, penis, and mouth.
NAT: Acronym for nucleic acid test. A NAT is an HIV test that looks for the actual virus in the blood.
Transgender man: A person assigned female at birth who identifies as male.
Transgender person: A person whose gender identity or expression is different from their sex assigned at birth.
Transgender woman: A person assigned male at birth who identifies as female.
Viral load: The amount of HIV in the blood.
Viral load test: A test that can tell if a person has HIV or how much virus is present in the blood.
PEP: Acronym for post-exposure prophylaxis. PEP is medicine to prevent HIV after a possible exposure.
PrEP: Acronym for pre-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP is medicine that can reduce the chance of getting HIV.
Undetectable viral load: When the amount of HIV in the blood is so low that a test can't detect it.
Viral suppression: Having less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood.
Window period: The time between HIV exposure and when a test can detect HIV in your body.