Antibody – specific substance produced by the body for the purpose of neutralising a foreign substance, as part of a defence reaction to an antigen (see below).
Antigen – a substance (it may be part of a virus), which is recognised by the body as foreign so the body’s immune defence can react to it by producing antibodies.
Backloading – a method of preparing and sharing drugs for injection to reduce waste, using two syringes. The drug solution is drawn up in one syringe, the plunger taken out of the other and some of the solution squirted in.
Co-infection – being infected with more than one virus at the same time.
ELISA – enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: a laboratory method to test for antibodies.
Flushing out – used to ensure all the drug is injected into the vein. Whilst the needle is still in the vein the plunger is withdrawn to draw blood into the syringe. This is then injected back to flush out any remaining drug particles.
Frontloading – a method of preparing and sharing drugs for injection to reduce waste, using two syringes, similar to backloading. The drug solution is drawn up in one syringe, the needle removed from the other and some of the solution squirted in.
HIV – human immunodeficiency virus, the retrovirus responsible for AIDS. There are two varieties, HIV-1 and HIV-2. The former is most common in the UK.
Jaundice – a condition in which the whites of the eyes go yellow; in severe cases the skin does too. This is caused by the yellow pigment (bilirubin) which is normally disposed of by the liver.
ME – myalgic encephalomyelitis, sometimes called Chronic fatigue syndrome.
PCR – polymerase chain reaction: a laboratory method for testing for the actual virus.
Prognosis – a forecast of the probable course of a disease.
RIBA – Recombinant Immunoblot Assay: a laboratory method for testing for antibodies.
RNA – ribonucleic acid, essential for the manufacture of proteins.The genes of HCV and HIV are contained in the virus encoded as RNA and are referred to as RNA-viruses. Other viruses such as HBV are DNA-viruses.
Seroconversion – the point when the body starts to make antibodies in response to the presence of an antigen (a foreign body), such as a bacterium, virus or vaccine.
Sharps – term used to describe needles and syringes.
Skin popping – injecting drugs between skin and fat layers.
Viral load – the amount of virus in the blood.