Page 97 - 78 glossary of hivaids-related terms_opt

NRTI
See: Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor

NRTI-Sparing Regimen
Drug combination that omits the use of any NRTIs so that the drug
class can be saved for use in future treatment.
See Also: Class-Sparing Regimen

NSAID
See: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug

Nucleic Acid
Chemical structure that stores genetic information. There are two
types of nucleic acid, DNA and RNA. Human genetic information is
stored as DNA, whereas HIV’s genetic information can be stored as
both DNA and RNA.
See Also: Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

Nucleic Acid Test N
A laboratory test that can detect very small amounts of specific
genetic material in blood, plasma, or other tissue. This test can
detect several types of viruses and is used to screen blood from
blood donors.

Nucleoside
A precursor to a building block of DNA or RNA. Nucleosides must
be chemically changed into nucleotides before they can be used to
make DNA or RNA.
See Also: Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)
Nucleotide

Nucleoside Analogue Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NRTI)
A class of anti-HIV drug. Nucleoside analogues are faulty versions
of the building blocks necessary for HIV reproduction. When HIV’s
reverse transcriptase enzyme uses a nucleoside analogue instead of

HIV/AIDS Glossary 95