Page 17 - 78 glossary of hivaids-related terms_opt

Attachment Inhibitor A
Class of anti-HIV drugs that prevents the virus from attaching to a
new, healthy host cell, thus preventing cell infection.
See Also: Entry Inhibitor

Attenuated
A term used to describe a bacterium or virus that has been
changed in the laboratory so that it is not harmful to people.
Attenuated viruses are often used as vaccines, because they can
no longer cause disease but can still stimulate a strong immune
response. Examples include the vaccines against polio (Sabin oral
vaccine), measles, mumps, and rubella.

AUC
See: Area Under the Curve

Autoantibody
An antibody directed against the body’s own tissue.
See Also: Antibody

Avascular Necrosis (AVN)
Death of bone (also known as osteonecrosis) caused by a loss of
blood supply to the bone tissue. AVN has occurred in the hip bones
of some people with HIV, but it is not clear if bone death occurs
because of HIV infection itself or as a side effect of anti-HIV drugs.
Symptoms include pain in the affected area of the body, limited
range of motion, joint stiffness, limping, and muscle spasms. If
untreated, AVN can cause progressive bone damage that leads to
bone collapse.
See Also: Osteonecrosis

AVN
See: Avascular Necrosis

HIV/AIDS Glossary 15