Encyclopedia

9 A C D H M O P R S U V

95-95-95

95-95-95 is a global goal created by UNAIDS, the Join United Program on HIV/AIDS.  The goal is that by 2030: 95% of all people living with HIV will know their status. 95% of all people diagnosed with HIV will on sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART). 95% of all people on ART will have viral suppression. We think this goal sounds amazing! Continue reading 95-95-95

Adherence

The terms refers to how well a patient follows their treatment as directed by medical professionals.  For instance, for U=U to be effective, patients must take their medications on-time as directed.  Missing doses may increase their viral load and increase their chance of passing on the HIV.   Continue reading Adherence

AIDS

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The late stages of HIV. “A person with HIV is considered to have progressed to AIDS when: the number of their CD4 cells falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (200 cells/mm3). (In someone with a healthy immune system, CD4 counts are between 500 and 1,600 cells/mm3.) OR they develop one or more opportunistic infections regardless of their CD4 … Continue reading AIDS

Antiretroviral therapy

Also known as ART, antiretroviral therapy simply refers to the antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV infections. Thanks for ART, many HIV+ patients have seen their virus number drop to undetectable numbers.  See U=U for more information about what that means.  But getting started on ART can be the difference between life and death, not just for you but for other people you may pass … Continue reading Antiretroviral therapy

CD4+ count

CD4 cells are used to respond to infections within your immune system. HIV attacks the number of CD4 cells in the body. A CD4 count is the number of CD4 cells in your blood.  Medical professionals use this count as one way to measure the health of a patient.  A low CD4 count may signify that a patient with HIV has AIDS. For more information … Continue reading CD4+ count