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HIV Dictionary

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pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP): Although antiretroviral drugs have helped reduce the number of cases of PCP, it remains one of the most common opportunistic infections affecting people with AIDS in the United States. PCP attacks the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms include a cough that doesn't go away, fever and trouble breathing.

progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML): PML is an extremely serious brain infection caused by the human polyomavirus JCV. Signs and symptoms vary and may include speech problems, weakness on one side of the body, loss of vision in one eye or numbness in one arm or leg. PML usually occurs only when the immune system has been severely damaged.

protease inhibitors (PIs): PIs interrupt HIV replication at a later stage in its life cycle by interfering with an enzyme known as HIV protease. This causes HIV particles in your body to become structurally disorganized and noninfectious. Among these drugs are saquinavir (Invirase), ritonavir (Norvir), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept) and amprenavir (Agenerase).

retrovirus: Any virus belonging to the viral family Retroviridae. They are enveloped viruses possessing a RNA genome, and replicate via a DNA intermediate. Retroviruses rely on the enzyme reverse transcriptase to perform the reverse transcription of its genome from RNA into DNA, which can then be integrated into the host's genome with an integrase enzyme. The virus then replicates as part of the cell's DNA.

reverse transcriptase: A DNA polymerase enzyme that transcribes single-stranded RNA into double-stranded DNA, also known as RNA-dependent DNA polymerase. Normal transcription involves the synthesis of RNA from DNA, hence reverse transcription is the reverse of this.

salmonellosis: One contracts this bacterial infection from contaminated food or water. Symptoms include severe diarrhea, fever, chills, abdominal pain and, occasionally, vomiting. Although anyone exposed to salmonella bacteria can become sick, salmonellosis is far more common in people who are HIV-positive. One can reduce their risk by washing the hands carefully after handling food and animals and by cooking meat and eggs thoroughly.