The 4- to 7-week period of rapid viral replication immediately following exposure. An estimated 30 to 60 percent of individuals with primary HIV infection develop an acute syndrome characterised by fever, malaise, lymphadenopathy, pharyngitis, headache, myalgia, and, sometimes, rash.

Several cancers are more common or more aggressive in persons living with HIV. These malignancies include certain types of immune system cancers known as lymphomas, Kaposi's Sarcoma, and anogenital cancers that primarily affect the anus and the cervix.

The chemical building blocks from which proteins are made. Instructions for the production of amino acids are coded in DNA (or in some viruses, RNA), and the sequence of codes along a length of DNA (or RNA) determines which is made.

An inflammation of the intestines caused by infestation with Entameba histolytica (a type of amoeba) and characterised by frequent, loose stools flecked with blood and mucus.

A PCR product that is a copy of the original DNA or RNA target region.

The process of producing many DNA copies from one original DNA or RNA target region. PCR is a nucleic acid amplification technique.

The abnormal growth of cells of the anus, which may be a precursor of anal cancer.

The biochemical process of hybridising, or binding, two segments of complementary nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) at an optimal temperature of 40-65 C.

Having antibodies against HIV in the blood, indicating previous exposure to an organism. Typically the terms seropositive and HIV positive are used to mean antibody positive. Contrast with antigen positive.

A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of a fungus.

Having proteins from a microorganism (e.g. HIV RNA) in the blood or tissues, as determined by tests such as the PCR assay. Contrast with antibody positive.

A drug that inhibits or kills a microorganism (e.g. virus, bacteria or fungus).

Inhibiting or preventing the proliferation of tumour cells.

A substance that kills or inhibits the multiplication of single-celled microorganisms, called protozoa.

Substances used against retroviruses such as HIV.

A painful oral or oesophageal sore of unknown cause that has a deep eroded base. Aphthous ulcers are common in persons living with HIV and are treated with corticosteroids.

"Cellular suicide," also known as programmed cell death. HIV may induce apoptosis in both infected and uninfected immune system cells. Normally when CD4+ T cells mature in the thymus gland, a small proportion of these cells are unable to distinguish self from non-self. Because these cells would otherwise attack the body's own tissues, they receive a biochemical signal from other cells that results in apoptosis. See Tumour Necrosis Factor.

A fungal infection � resulting from the fungus Aspergillus -- of the lungs that can spread through the blood to other organs. Symptoms include fever, chills, difficulty in breathing, and coughing-up blood. If the infection reaches the brain, it may cause dementia.

Names for a portion of the processes by which new HIV is formed in infected host cells. Viral core proteins, enzymes, and RNA gather just inside the cell's membrane, while the viral envelope proteins aggregate within the membrane. An immature viral particle is formed and then pinches off from the cell, acquiring an envelope and the cellular and HIV proteins from the cell membrane. The immature viral particle then undergoes processing by an HIV enzyme called protease to become an infectious virus. Protease inhibitor drugs disrupt this processing and prevent the budded virus from becoming infectious.