Abstinence:  Used to mean not having sexual intercourse, whether oral, anal, or vaginal.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS):  A result of human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) infection that makes the immune system less able to fight infection.

Acute:  Reaching a crisis quickly; very sharp or severe.

Acyclovir:  A drug used to treat herpes and sometimes used as an adjunct to AZT.

AIDS:  See Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

AIDS-related complex:  Term previously used to describe people who had symptoms
of HIV but had not yet developed AIDS; generally considered an outdated term.

Alternative therapies:  Nonmedical approaches that some people believe to be
effective in treating HIV infection; these include acupuncture, visualization, crystals,                              nutritional therapy, and macrobiotics.

Ambiguous test results:  Findings that are neither clearly negative nor clearly positive;
used here to refer to HIV antibody test results in which the ELISA shows the presence
of HIV antibodies but the Western blot does not.  (Person should be retested in six
months).

Amphotericin B:  A drug used to treat candidiasis (thrush) and cryptococcosis.

Anal sex (also anal intercourse):  Inserting the penis into the anus of the sexual partner.

Anonymous testing:  Testing done with no identifying information recorded; only the
person tested can obtain the results.

Antibody:  A substance in the blood that forms when disease agents such as viruses,
bacteria fungi, and parasites invade the body.  Although antibodies usually defend the 
body against invading disease agents, the HIV antibody gives no such protection.

Antibody-negative test results:  Here, the findings of a test that detects no signs of
antibodies to HIV; either the person does not have HIV, or the person has become infected with HIV too recently to have detectable antibodies.

Antibody-positive test results:  The findings of a test in which antibodies to HIV are detected in the blood; the person is assumed to be infected with HIV if both the ELISA and Western blot tests show positive results.

Anus:  The ring of muscle at the opening of the rectum that controls release of waste (feces) from the body.

ARC:  See AIDS-related complex.

Autologous blood donation:  Blood people donate for their own later use, usually in
elective surgery.

AZT:  See Zidovudine.

Bacteria:  Microscopic organisms that can cause disease.

Bacteria infections:  The diseases that bacteria causes; most respond to antibiotic treatment. (Syphilis and tuberculosis are two examples.)

B-cell:  A type of white blood cell that makes antibodies against disease agents in the body.

Bisexual:  A person who has sexual partners of the same sex and of the opposite sex (both-sex orientation).

Blood-borne disease:  Infections whose disease agents are carried in the bloodstream (HIV infection and hepatitis B, for example).

Blood-clotting factors:  Substances in the blood that cause it to thicken and change from a liquid to a solid; used to treat hemophilia.

Blood components:  The parts of the blood, including formed elements (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets) and liquid (plasma), that contain proteins                           used to make clotting factors.

Blood testing:  Taking a small sample of a person's blood, which is then examined to
determine blood characteristics and to detect disease agents or evidence of infection.

Blood-to-blood contact:  The mixing together of blood from two (or more) people.The primary ways of spreading HIV through blood-to-blood contact are shared needles or syringes, blood transfusions, receipt of blood components or clotting factors, or organ
transplant (rare 1985); and transmissions from mother to child during birth.

Boarder babies:  Infants who remain in the hospital longer than medically necessary
because, for various reasons, there is no one to care for them.

Body defenses:  See Immune system.

Body fluids:  Fluids the body makes such as tears, saliva, sweat, blood, vaginal fluid, semen, breast milk.

Candidiasis:  A fungal infection that occurs in several places in the body, including in the mouth or throat (thrush), in type vagina, or on the skin; a common opportunistic infection in people with AIDS.

Cardiovascular disease:  Disease affecting the heart and blood vessels; often, the blood vessels become gradually clogged with fatty substances.

Casual contact:  Ordinary social contact---kissing on the cheek; shaking hands; using the same telephone, toilet, or swimming pool; or working in the same office. Casual contact does not spread HIV.

Casual transmission:  Transmitting (spreading) an infection or disease through casual
contact.  HIV does not spread in this way.

Cell:  The smallest independent unit of life that can perform all life functions.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention:  Federal health agency that is part of  the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; provides national health and safety guidelines and statistical data on AIDS and other diseases.

Cervix:  A female body part; the lower part of the uterus, extending into the vagina.

Chronic:  Usual here to mean a prolonged, lingering, or recurring state of disease.

CMV:  See Cytomegalovirus infection.

Communicable disease:  A disease that can be transmitted.
 
Condom:  A sheath, made of latex, polyurethane, or lamb intestine, that fits over the erect penis, when used correctly and consistently, latex condoms have been  shown to give protection against HIV transmission.

Confidential testing:  Testing that links test results to people and records these results in medical files; state laws limit who can have access to the results and under what conditions they can gain access.

Confidentiality:  Keeping information private or secret.

Connective tissue:  The type of tissue that supports and binds together other tissue
and organs; frequently the site of Kaposi's sarcoma lesions in the people with AIDS.

Contact tracing:  See Partner notification.

Contaminated needles:  Used here to mean that have been used by someone
with HIV and then improperly cleaned, thus making HIV transmission possible
if the needles are shared.

Crack:  A form of cocaine that is smoked.

Crack house:  A place where crack is bought and used.

Cunnilingus:  Oral sex; mouth-to-vagina sex.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection: A viral infection that ay occur without any
symptoms and may result in mild flu-like symptoms; opportunistic infection among
people with AIDS, it often causes loss of sight.

ddI (Didanosine):  The second antiviral drug approved by the FDA that fights HIV
itself; used in people with AIDS who no longer respond well to AZT.

Defense cell: A type of white blood cell that attacks foreign materials.

Designated blood donation:  Blood that a family member or friend donates for a
specific person's use.

Developed immunity:  What someone's body is able to develop protection
against an infection, even though person has been exposed to a virus or other
disease agent; scientists consider a developed immunity to HIV unlikely.

Disease agent:  A virus, bacterium, fungus, or parasite that carries infection.

Disinfectant:  A chemical that destroys disease agents; for example, liquid chlorine
bleach can be used to clean needles and syringes so that they become less likely to
spread HIV if they are shared.

Donor:  Used here to mean someone who gives blood.

Dormant virus:  An inactive virus.

Dry kiss:  One that does not involve mouth-to-mouth or open-mouth contact.
(Social kiss, kiss on the cheek.)

Ejaculate: To eject semen; the semen released by ejaculation during orgasm.

Ejaculation:  The spontaneous discharge of semen during orgasm.

EIA:  See ELISA.

ELISA:  Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.  A blood test used to detect the
presence of antibodies to HIV.  When ELISA results show the presence of HIV
antibodies, these results must be confirmed by the Western blot test before a person
is considered to have HIV. (Sometimes abbreviated as EIA.)

Epidemic:  A rapidly spreading illness oe disease in a population.

Experimental drug:  A drug that is in the process of being scientifically tested but
is not yet approved or licensed by the Food and Drug Administration for general
use.

Exposure (to HIV):  When someone is unprotected from the kind of contact
(sexual or blood-to-blood) that spread HIV.

FDA:  See Food and Drug Administration.

False-negative test:  Used here to mean an antibody test for HIV that shows
negative results even though the blood sample contains the virus; uncommon, usually found only in people recently infected with HIV who as yet have no
detectable antibodies.

Feces:  Bodily waste discharged through the anus.

Fellatio:  Mouth-to-penis sex. See Oral sex.

Food and Drug Administration:  A government agency with several regulatory
functions including testing and approving new drugs before they can be marketed
to the public.

French kiss:  See Open-mouth kiss.

Fungus:  Microscopic disease agent(s) including yeasts and molds.

Gancyclovir: A drug used to treat cytomegalovirus infection.

Gene:  The basic unit that controls heredity; genes determines how people function,
and also what traits they pass on to their children.

Genital contact:  Contact between the sexual organs of two people.

Germ: See Disease agent.

Hemophilia: A hereditary blood disorder that prevents blood from clotting properly.

Hepatitis B:  A viral infection that affects the liver and is transmitted through blood-
toolbox and sexual contact.

Herpes:  Short for herpes simplex viruses, which cause fluid blisters around the mouth
or genitals; a common infection in people with AIDS.

Heterosexual:  Being romantically or sexually attracted to people of the other sex.  Also,
having sexual partners of the other sex.

HIV:  See Human immunodeficiency virus.

Homosexual:  Being romantically or sexually attracted to people of the same sex; gay.
Also having sexual partners of one's own sex.

Hospice:  A program offering compassionate care in the home or in a home-like
setting to terminally ill people preparing to die.

Household contact:  Ordinary social contact among members of a household.

HTLV-III:  See Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus, type III.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV):  The virus that causes AIDS; HIV weakens
several body systems and destroys the body's immune system, making  it easier
for life threatening opportunistic infections or cancers to invade the body.

Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus, type III:  An earlier term for human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS.

Immune:  Protected from disease.

Immune system:  A variety of cells and substances within the body that help it
resist viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi.

Immunization:  Triggering the body's self-defense against disease, such as mumps,
rubella, measles.

Immunoglobulin:  Class of antibodies that act as protection  against disease agents;
common treatment for children with with AIDS.

Incidence:  The number or rate of new cases of a disease over a period of time.

Incubation:  The period from the point of infection to the onset of symptoms of a
disease (in this manual, to the onset of AIDS).

Infection:  Invasion of the body by a disease agent.

Infectious disease:  A disease that is caused by or can be transmitted by an agent;
not all disease are highly contagious or easily communicable to other people---for
example, HIV is highly infectious, but it is not easily or casually transmitted.

Injection-drug use:  Use of a needle and syringe to inject drugs into body
tissue.

Intercourse:  See Sex.

Isoniazid:  A drug used to treat tuberculosis.

IV-drug use:  See injection-drug use.

Kaposi's sarcoma:  A cancer that can involve the skin, mucous membranes,
and lymph nodes, ordinary appearing first on the skin of the legs or arms; one
of the diseases that affect people with AIDS more than other people; appears
as red or purplish spots.

LAV:  See Lymphadenopathy-associated virus.

Lesbian:  A woman whose sexual partners are women.

Lesion:  An abnormal change in the tissue or in the structure of an organ
or body part due to injury or disease; sore.

Lubricant:  Used here to mean a substance used to reduce friction during
sex.

Lymphadenopathy-associated virus:  An earlier name for HIV, the virus
that causes AIDS.

Lymph glands:  Glands located in the groin, neck, armpits, and elsewhere
containing large numbers of lymphocytes that help fight infection.

Lymphocytes:  Certain types of white blood cells called T-cells and B-cells;
essential to the function of the immune system.

Macrophage:  A type of white blood cell that surrounds and devours infected
cells; disease agents, and dead material. See Monocyte.

Mandatory testing:  Required testing of a population or group of people;
traditionally used only for disease that have a cure and effective treatments
available.

Mass testing: Testing of large segments of a population.

Masturbation:  Massaging one's own genitals, often to the point of orgasm.

Medicaid:  A federal-state health insurance program that pays certain medical
expenses for people whose income falls below the poverty level as set by each
state.

Medicare:  A federal health insurance program that pays certain medical
expenses for people who are disabled, over 65, or suffering from chronic
kidney disease.

Meningitis:  Infection and inflammation of the membranes that cover the
brain and spinal cord.

Menstrual flow: The fluid composed of blood, secretions, and tissue that is
discharged during menstruation.

Menstruation:  The monthly shedding of the uterus lining during the
menstrual period.

Monocyte: Young macrophage, a type of white blood cell. See Macrophage.
 
Motor function:  The ability to move; people with AIDS often become less
able to perform certain tasks or movements because they have become weak
or HIV has affected their nervous system.

Mucous membrane:  A lining or membrane of all body passages that have
an outside opening; both the lining of the mouth and the lining of the vagina,
for example, are mucous membranes.  The glands in the mucous membrane
produce mucous.

Mutual masturbation:  Massaging a partner's genitals, often to the point
of orgasm.  See Masturbation.

National Institutes of Health (NIH):  A federal agency of the U.S. Public
Health Service that includes 13 institutes; NIH supports and does biomedical
and health research, trains scientists and doctors, and writes and publishes
scientific and medical reports.

Needle stick (also needle stab, needle jab): A needle puncture of the skin
often accidental; although infrequent, it is a possible mode of HIV
transmission to health care workers.

Negative test results:  Used here to mean findings of a test that detects no
signs of antibodies to HIV; a negative test result can mean that someone is
not infected but also can mean that the person was too recently infected
to have detectable antibodies.  See False-negative test.

Nonoxynol-9:  A chemical (spermicide) used in some contraceptive creams,
foams, jellies that kills sperm and viruses.

Nystatin:  A drug used to treat candidiasis; including thrush.

Open-mouth kiss:  One that involves tongue-to-tongue contact.

Opportunistic infections:  A variety of infections, including Pneumocystis
carinii pneumonia, that occur in people whose immune systems are not
fully functional.

Oral sex (oral intercourse):  Contact  of the mouth or tongue with a
partner's penis, vagina, or anus during sexual activity.

Organ bank:  A place where donated body organs are stored before
transplanted.

Organism:  A living being.

Parasite:  An organism that relies upon another organism for survival.

Parenteral transmission (of HIV):  Used here to mean the injection of HIV
into the body, most commonly through HIV-contaminated needles.

Partner notification:  The process of letting sexual and needle-sharing of
an HIV-infected person know they may be risk of having HIV. (Earlier
called Contact tracing).
 
Penis:  The male sexual organ.

Pentamidine:  A drug used to treat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

Perinatal transmission (of HIV):  Passing HIV to an infant before or
during birth.

Placenta:  The blood-filled organ that connects the fetus to the mother's
body by the umbilical cord; the source of nutrition for the fetus. Used
here to refer to a possible crossover for HIV.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia:  A form of pneumonia caused by a
parasite that rarely affects people with fully functioning immune systems;
the leading cause of death in people with AIDS.

Pneumonia:  An infection of the lungs.

Polymerase chain reaction test:  A test that can detect HIV by looking
for the genetic information of the virus; this test can find the virus even
if it is present only in very small amounts os is hidden inside the white
blood cells.

Positive test result:  Used here to mean findings that show the presence of
HIV antibodies; the person tested is assumed to be infected with HIV and
able to infect others.

Prevalence:  Total number of cases of a disease in a population over a
period of time.

Prophylactic:  See Condom.

Quarantine:  Isolation of a person with a contagious disease.

Rectum:  The last portion of the digestive tract, just above the anus.

Respite care:  Short-term care of chronically ill people provided to give
their caregivers some time off.

Rifampin:  A drug used to treat tuberculosis.
 
Risk Behavior: Used here to mean activities that put people at increased risk
of  getting HIV.

Risk group:  For statistical purposes, a collection of people thought to share
a common feature that puts them at increased risk of contracting a disease.

Rough Sex:  Sexual acts that involve tissue injury.

Safe sex:  Sexual practices that involve no exchange of blood, semen, or
vaginal fluid.

Saliva:  The fluid produced in the mouth.

Semen:  Whitish fluid containing sperm, white blood cells, and fluid, which
ejaculated from the penis during orgasm.

Seroconversion:  Used here to mean the change from absence of antibodies
to HIV in the blood to the presence of HIV antibodies in the blood.

Sex (also sexual intercourse):  Used here to mean genital contact between
individuals; contact with vagina, penis, or anus.

Sexual orientation:  The attraction people feel for or the erotic relationship
they develop with others of their own sex, of the opposite sex, or of both
sexes.

Sexually  transmitted disease (STD):  A disease that spreads during sex,
through genital contact between people; for example, gonorrhea, syphilis,
herpes, and HIV infection are STDs.

Shingles:  An inflammation of nerve endings brought about by the same
virus that causes chicken pox; an opportunistic infection common to
people with AIDS.

Shooting galleries:  Used here to mean places where drugs are sold and
used, particularly injection drugs.

Shots:  See Immunization.

Snorting (cocaine):  Inhaling (cocaine).

Social kiss:  See Dry kiss.

Speedball: Heroin mixed with amphetamines (speed) or cocaine.

Spend down:  To qualify for Medicaid by having bills that reduce one's
income below the poverty level.

Sperm bank:  A storage facility for sperm before it is used in artificial
insemination.

Spermicide:  A chemical usually found in the form of a foam, cream, or
jelly that kills sperm on contact (for example, nonoxynol-9).

SSI: Supplemental Security Income; a welfare program under Social Security
for people who are disabled, or blind; some benefits or temporary benefits under
this program may be available to people with HIV.

SSDI:  Social Security Disability Insurance; a form of federal insurance;
payment is related to the amount of money a person has paid into the
Social Security system.

STD:  See Sexually transmitted disease.

Stigma:  A disfiguring mark, whether visible or not, that sets people who
have it apart from others.

Syndrome:  A group of related problems or symptoms.

Syphilis:  A sexually transmitted disease that causes sores on the genital and,
if untreated, may lead to heart and brain damage.

T-cell:  A type of white blood cell essential to the body's immune system; help
regulate the immune system and control B-cell and macrophage functions.

Test sensitivity:  The likelihood that infected people will test positive.

Test specificity:  The likelihood that uninfected people will test negative.

T-helper cell:  See T-cell.

Thrush:  See Candidiasis.

T-lymphocyte:  See T-cell.

Toxic:  Used here to describe some treatments for opportunistic infections
or HIV infection itself that may cause harmful side effects in some people.

Transfusion (blood):  The transfer of one person's blood to another person.

Transplant:  Used to mean the transfer of an organ or tissue from one
person to another.

Tuberculosis:  (TB) A contagious disease that primarily the lungs; common
to many people with AIDS.

Urine:  Fluid waste excreted by the kidneys.

Vaccine:  A substance made from modified or denatured viruses or bacteria
that helps to protect against a particular disease.

Vagina:  The passageway in the female extending from the vulva to the
cervix; is penetrated in vaginal sex.

Vaginal fluid:  Fluid that provides moistness and lubrication in the vagina;
vaginal fluid of an HIV-infected woman may contain HIV.

Vaginal sex (also vaginal intercourse):  Penetration of the vagina by, for
example, the penis or a sex toy.

Virus:  A disease agent that must live within cells of the body, often
destroying these cells; much smaller than bacteria.

Wasting syndrome:  The extreme weight loss (more than 10 percent of
body weight) that often affects people with AIDS.

Western blot:  A blood test that can detect antibodies to HIV; used to
confirm ELISA results.

Wet kiss:  See Open-mouth kiss.

White blood cell:  A type of blood cell whose primary function is to fight
infection; white blood cells include T-cells, B-cells, macrophages, and
monocytes.

Works:  Used here to mean needles, syringes, and other equipment used to
"cook" or prepare and inject street drugs.

Zidovudine:   (AZT) A drug that fights HIV itself by keeping  the virus from
multiplying besides causing serious side effects in some people, it is very
expensive.