Terms to Remember - SAfAIDS

page 2Clients may not be able to control whathappens, once they have disclosed. Mostcases of involuntary disclosure arise fromsituations where clients decide to partiallydisclose their status and without theirknowledge the information is made publicby an individual or organisation.Non-disclosure means that clients do notreveal their HIV status to anyone.Involuntary disclosure happens whensomeone reveals someone’s HIV statuswithout their approval or even without theirknowledge. Involuntary disclosure can alsooccur when one is forced to reveal theirHIV status for workplace requirements,or international travel requirements.DiscriminationA term used to describe treating otherpeople differently or unfairly because theyare HIV positive or different from others.Exclusive breastfeedingWhen an HIV positive mother ONLYbreastfeeds her child and does not use anyother form of nourishment (formulas, water,dairy milk) to prevent the transmission ofHIV to her baby.First-line treatment or regimenA term used to describe the first set ofARV drugs given as part of ART. Usually,the set is a combination of threeantiretroviral medicines aimed at increasingCD4 counts and decreasing viral load whilepreventing resistance.GlandsThese are tissues and organs (parts) of thebody that make useful substances for thebody – such as the thyroid gland in thethroat. The glands also allow chemicalsto be passed out of your body such asthe sweat glands on your skin. Otherglands act as filters of infection such asglands in the armpit.Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy(HAART)A combination of three antiretroviralmedicines used to fight HIV and AIDS.HIVHIV stands for ‘Human ImmunodeficiencyVirus’. This means HIV is a virus (germ thatcauses disease when it enters your body)that weakens the human immune system.Immune systemThe immune system is a combination ofthe different parts of our body - thechemicals, cells, tissues and organs thatprotect the body from germs. The immunesystem can tell the difference betweenwhat belongs to the body and what doesnot belong. It is sometimes called thebody’s defence system. When your immunesystem is strong, you are able to fightforeign bodies that enter your body andavoid getting sick. HIV makes our immunesystem weak and that is why, if you areinfected with HIV, over time you begin toget sick more often and for longer periods.Informed consentThe basis of Voluntary Counselling and Testing,where the decision to take an HIV test is madeentirely by the individual being tested.Life cycleA term used to describe different times ina person’s life. People at different stagesin their life cycle will have different needs,concerns and ways of coping with problems.