Terminology

 Abstinence: Refraining from participating in a behavior. In terms of HIV prevention, abstinence generally refers to not engaging in sexual intercourse or injecting drugs.

 Adherence: Following a prescribed treatment regimen, including correct dosage and number of doses per day and taking with or without food or other medications.

 AIDS: stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a viral disease that results in impairment of the body’s immune system. People with AIDS can get a number of life-threatening diseases that generally do not affect the health of individuals with healthy immune systems. They may also contract very severe cases of more common diseases. AIDS is generally diagnosed at the most advanced stage of HIV infection, and this diagnosis signals significant damage to the body’s immune system.

 Anal sex: Sexual activity in which a penis is inserted into the anus. Might also refer to the use of fingers, dildos, or other objects in the anus.

 Analingus: Oral stimulation of the anus, including licking and oral caressing of the anal opening. Also known as “rimming.”

 Anonymous: Without any identification. In terms of HIV testing, this describes the test which does not associate a person’s name with the test or the test results, but rather a randomly assigned number.

 Antibodies: Specialized proteins manufactured by the body’s immune system in response to foreign substances to help fight disease. They stay in the body for a person’s lifetime as a marker against that infection. Antibodies for different diseases vary in their effectiveness to fight those diseases. Antibodies to HIV appear to fight the infection for a period of time, but eventually falter and fail to protect the body.

 Antibody Test: A laboratory procedure that detects antibodies to specific microorganisms. An HIV antibody test determines if a person’s body has produced antibodies to HIV, which may take six months to show up after initial infection. See also “Window Period.”

 Antiretroviral: Pertaining to something that inhibits the actions of a retrovirus. Antiretroviral HIV therapy (also referred to as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy or HAART) refers to treatment that works against the normal functioning of the retrovirus.

 Anus: The opening of the body through which feces pass. The anus is the part of the body that is penetrated during anal sex.

 Asymptomatic: Refers to someone who is infected but has no symptoms. This is possible for long periods of time with HIV infection.

 Barebacking: A term that refers to conscious engagement in unprotected anal intercourse between two men. Other terms used to describe this are “raw” or “skin-on-skin” sex.

 Bisexuality: Sexual attraction to and/or behavior with more than one sex.
Booty bumping: The insertion of drugs, for example crystal methamphetamine or heroin, into the rectum so that the substances enter the blood stream quickly, causing a relatively quick high

 Booty bumping: The insertion of drugs, for example crystal methamphetamine or heroin, into the rectum so that the substances enter the blood stream quickly, causing a relatively quick high.

 Bottom: The receptive partner during insertive sex.

 CD 4 T-cell Count: The number of CD4 t-cells compared to the number of all white blood cells. The CD4 t-cell percentage is a measure of the health of the immune system.

 Celibacy: A lifestyle in which there is complete abstinence from sexual thoughts and activities.

 Clinical Trial: A formal procedure for determining the effectiveness of a new drug or therapy. In many clinical trials, new drugs are tested against existing drugs or an inactive substance (placebo). Often, participants are given incentives for their participation in studies.

 Clitoris: A small bud-shaped organ of the female genital anatomy, above the urethra (urinary opening) and vagina. It is the focal point of sexual pleasure leading to orgasms. It is the only organ in the human body whose sole function is to give sexual pleasure.

 Combination Therapy: Another way to refer to HAART. This terms is used to describe the manner in which antiretroviral therapies from different classifications are usually prescribed.

 Condom: Commonly called rubbers, condoms are sheaths that fit over a penis or into an anus or vagina (the Reality®, or female, condom) to prevent semen from entering the partner’s body after ejaculation. Condoms also prevent a penis or dildo from coming in contact with body fluids.

 Confidential: Kept private. In terms of HIV testing, it means that only the person who is being tested and the immediate group of people who provide care know the results of a test and prevention services for that person. With a confidential HIV test, the name and other personal identifying information about the client are collected.

 Confirmatory test: A second specimen (blood or oral) that is requested of a client after the delivery of a preliminary positive result by a Rapid Test. It is necessary as the standard of care in the U.S. to confirm screening tests that indicate the likely presence of HIV antibodies. A client has not tested HIV antibody positive until a confirmatory test indicates the presence of HIV antibodies.

 Cross-resistance: When a virus develops resistance to one drug, which automatically makes it resistant to other, similar drugs.

 Cunnilingus: Stimulus of the vulva or clitoris with lips or tongue.

 Dental Dam: See “Latex barrier.”

 Dildo: An object simulating the shape of a penis and primarily used for anal or vaginal penetration. A shared dildo contains risk for transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, and a condom should be used if there is more than one person or orifice penetrated.

 Discordant: Conflicting. In HIV terms, this describes a couple in which one partner is HIV infected and the other is not. May also be used to describe the rare situation when a confirmatory test result is negative on the Rapid Test.

 Ejaculation: Rhythmic contractions that propel semen out of the penis in spurts. Ejaculation of fluid is also possible from stimulation of the G-spot in the vagina.

 ELISA: Acronym for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the laboratory test most commonly used to screen for antibodies to HIV at a laboratory.

 Erection: The condition of the penis when the tissues in it fill up with blood, becoming firm and growing in size, as a result of either physical or psychological stimulation, or both.

 False-negative: A negative HIV antibody test result for a person who is actually infected with HIV. This is possible during the window period.

 False-positive: A positive HIV antibody test result for a person who is not infective with HIV. These are very rare with modern HIV tests.

 Fellatio: Stimulation of the penis with lips or tongue. Slang term is “blow-job.”

 Fisting: Insertion of a whole hand into either the vagina or anus.

 Foreskin: A fold of skin that covers the head of the penis. This can be wholly or partially removed by circumcision.

 Gay: Being attracted physically or emotionally to a member of the opposite sex. A term primarily used to describe homosexual men; can be used to describe lesbians as well.

 Gender: A system of classification describing attributes commonly associated with bodies. Masculine characteristics are associated with persons who have “male” bodies; feminine characteristics are associated with persons who have “female” bodies

 Genitals: The external sexual body parts. In females they include the labia majora (outer lips), labia minora (inner lips), clitoris, mons pubis (a soft mound covered with public hair) and vestibule (where the urinary and vaginal opening are found). In males, the genitals are the penis and the scrotum.

 Glans: The head of the penis.

 G-spot: Graffenberg spot. This is an area located on the inside anterior vaginal wall. When stimulated it increases in size and swells up and may give intense orgasms with the release of a large amount of vaginal secretions. This spot can be reached by insertion of the penis, finger or dildo into the vagina. A similar spot can be stimulated in males through anal penetration that presses toward the prostate gland.

 HAART: See “Antiretroviral.”

 Heterosexual: A person who identifies as primarily sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.

 HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the virus that causes AIDS.

 Homosexual: A person whose sexual attraction is to people of the same sex. A homosexual man may be called gay; a homosexual woman may be called lesbian or gay.

 Hymen: A thin sheath of tissue partially covering the vaginal passes that can be broken by active sports as well as sexual intercourse.

 IFA: Immunofluorescent Assay. A type of test, or assay, used to check for the presence of antibodies to HIV. Usually used as a supplemental test after a positive results is reported on an ELISA.

 Immune system: The body’s mechanism to identify and fight off infections and other foreign substances.

 Immunity: The ability of a host to resist infection.

 Incubation period: The period of time from infection to the development of symptoms or the diagnosis of disease. In terms of HIV, it takes an average of six to eight years for a person to develop symptoms and an average of ten years to develop an AIDS-defining disease (a disease that indicates an AIDS diagnosis).

 Infection: Invasion of the body by organisms. In the case of HIV, infection occurs once the virus has entered a cell and begun the process of reproduction.

 Intercourse: Physical sexual contact involving the genitals, usually indicating insertion of a penis into the vagina or anus.

 Injected drugs: Drugs that are introduced directly into a person’s body or bloodstream through a needle.

 Injection drug user (IDU): A person who injects drugs for recreational use into the veins, muscle, or under the skin.

 Invalid test results: This is the result of an HIV test when there is a problem running the test kit, either related to the specimen, the device, or quality assurance. The client can repeat the test with a new test kit and sample.

 Latex: A synthetic rubber product out of which medical gloves, condoms and dental dams are manufactured. Studies have shown that latex, when intact, is not permeable by HIV. This means that if there are no holes or tears, HIV is unable to pass through a layer of latex.

 Latex barrier: A flat barrier made of latex, used as a safer sex tool in oral sex performed on the vulva, or in oral-anal sex on the anus. They can be called “dental dams,” which are manufactured for dental use, but are harder to find and of thicker material. A non-lubricated latex condom can also be cut down so it lies flat and used as a latex barrier.

 Lesbian: Describes a woman whose sexual preference is women.

 Maternal Transmission: Transmission of HIV from a pregnant woman or mother to her fetus or newborn. Infection could occur during the course of pregnancy, during childbirth or after birth through breast-feeding. Sometimes called “vertical transmission”, “neonatal transmission”, or “perinatal transmission.”

 Monogamous: Having an exclusive sexual relationship with only one partner.

 MSM: Men who have Sex with Men. This term is inclusive of a range of sexuality, from men who primarily have sex with women to men who exclusively have sex with men, regardless of personal identification as gay, straight, or bisexual.

 Mutual monogamy: Two people who have a sexual relationship exclusively with one another.

 Opportunistic Infection (OI): Infections that arise in individuals whose immune systems are compromised or damaged. These infections take advantage of the weakened immune system, hence the name “opportunistic.”

 Oral Sex: Most commonly, sexual activity in which a person’s mouth is placed on the penis, vulva or anus of another person for sexual pleasure.

 Orgasm: A highly pleasurable, climatic response during sex—the peak of sexual pleasure—that is the result of a complex interaction of physical, emotional and hormonal factors.

 PEP: Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. Anti-HIV drug treatment given within 72 hours of exposure to the virus in an attempt to stop HIV infection.
Polyurethane: A plastic material used in the Reality® condom which is thinner and more heat conductive than latex. Some people are allergic to latex, and use polyurethane barriers instead.

 Polyurethane: A plastic material used in the Reality® condom which is thinner and more heat conductive than latex. Some people are allergic to latex, and use polyurethane barriers instead.

 Preliminary Positive: A reactive result on a Rapid test. A person who receives a preliminary positive result is very likely infected with HIV, but a second sample needs to be collected for confirmatory testing at a lab.

 Prevention with Positives: The overall goal is to maintain the health of people living with HIV and to reduce the further spread of the virus by helping people to discover their HIV positive status and access care services, supporting risk reduction efforts that reduce the possibility of infecting others, and promoting overall quality of live for HIV-positive people.

 Rapid test: An HIV test that can deliver results in less than 30 minutes.

 Rectum: The last several inches of the large intestine that ends at the anus. People may experience pleasure during anal sex from the sensation of fullness in the rectum.

 Reinfection: This term refers to the possibility of being infected with HIV once a person is already infected with HIV. This could include the possibility of being infected with another viral strain.

 Resistance: The ability of the virus to lose its sensitivity to a drug. HIV that has developed resistance to a drug can replicate even when that drug is being taken.

 Safer Sex: Sexual activities that carry little or no risk of transmitting HIV. These include behaviors in which body fluids capable of transmitting HIV (blood, semen, vaginal secretions) are not exchanged between sexual partners. This is “safer sex,” but there is no such thing as “safe sex.”

 Salvage therapy: Urgent treatment for a disease or illness that has not responded to standard therapy.

 Semen: The thick, whitish fluid secreted from the penis during ejaculation. Usually associated with sexual orgasm. Semen of someone who is HIV positive is capable of transmitting the virus to another person.

 Seroconvert: Developing antibodies to HIV after infection that are detectable on HIV antibody tests.

 Sex: A system of classification describing assumed reproductive capacity based on the appearance of external genitalia or other physical characteristics. Usually refers to either “male” or “female.”

 STD: Sexually transmitted disease. Any of a number of diseases that are commonly spread through sexual activity. HIV infection is an STD.

 Side effect: An unintended action or effect of a drug. Undesired HIV drug side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, skin rash, liver damage, as well as many others.
Straight: A slang term for people who are heterosexual.
Superinfection: Refers to the possibility of being infected with drug resistant strains of HIV.

 Straight: An unintended action or effect of a drug. Undesired HIV drug side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, skin rash, liver damage, as well as many others.
Straight: A slang term for people who are heterosexual.
Superinfection: Refers to the possibility of being infected with drug resistant strains of HIV.

 T-cell: A type of white blood cell that plays a critical role in the immune system’s response to pathogens. There are a number of different kinds of t-cells. In HIV research and treatment, people often refer specifically to T-helper cells, also called CD4+ cells. These cells coordinate the activity of many other immune system cells. HIV invades and weakens or destroys T-helper cells. Physicians regularly monitor the level of T-helper cells in people with HIV infection to measure the progression of disease.

 Top: The insertive partner during penetrative sex.

 Transgender: An umbrella term to describe different types of gender transformations. Includes transsexuals, cross-dressers, drag kings, drag queens, etc.

 Undetectable: An HIV viral load result that is below the level that a specific test can measure. An undetectable viral load is associated with a person being less infectious to others, but it does not mean that there is no HIV in the body.

 Vagina: The canal leading from the vulva to the uterus in females. The vagina has great elasticity, allowing for the insertion of a penis for reproduction and other objects for sexual activity. During sexual excitement, fluid is excreted by the walls of the vagina that acts as a lubricant during intercourse. During menstruation, blood shed from the lining of the uterus is released through the vagina. The vagina is also the birth canal through which babies are delivered.

 Vaginal secretions: The natural lubrication or secretions of the vagina, including those produced during periods of sexual excitement. Vaginal secretions of someone who is HIV positive are capable of transmitting the virus to another person.

 Vaginal sex: Most commonly referred to as sexual activity in which a penis is inserted into the vagina. Might also refer to use of fingers, dildos, or other objects in the vagina.

 Virginity: A social concept that places importance on refraining from sex until marriage.

 Viral Load: The amount of virus in the blood plasma or other tissues. Viral load tests are performed on samples from HIV-infected people as part of medical care to determine prognosis and treatment of HIV disease.

 Virus: An organism made up of genes surrounded by a protein coating. Technically, a virus is not actually a living organism because it cannot reproduce by itself; a virus must invade a living cell to reproduce. Viruses are smaller than any living organism.

 Vulva: The external parts of the female genital organs, including clitoris, vaginal opening, and labia.

 Window Period: The time period from the point of the first infection with HIV to the development of measurable HIV antibodies. The window period usually runs two to 12 weeks and may last as long as six months, and in very rare cases even longer. During the window period, an HIV-infected person may test antibody negative.

 Western Blot: A laboratory test that detects specific antibodies to components of a virus. Often used to confirm HIV antibodies in specimens found repeatedly reactive using the ELISA test or preliminary positive using the Rapid Test.
Works: Equipment or paraphernalia used in injection drug use. Often called a “rig.”

All definitions taken or adapted from the AIDS Health Project Prevention for People Living with HIV Participant’s Manual, January 2004 and the AIDS Health Project Building Quality HIV Prevention Counseling Skills: The Basic 1 Training Participant’s Manual, November 2004.