| Glossary |
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| IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA (ITP) |
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Also idiopathic immune thrombocytopenic purpura. A condition in which the body produces antibodies against the platelets in the blood, which are cells responsible for blood clotting. ITP is very common in persons infected with HIV. | |
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| IMMUNOCOMPROMISED |
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Refers to an immune system in which the ability to resist or fight off infections and tumours is subnormal. | |
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| IMMUNODEFICIENCY |
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Breakdown in immunocompetence when certain parts of the immune system no longer function. This condition makes a person more susceptible to certain diseases. | |
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| IMMUNOSUPPRESSION |
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A state of the body in which the immune system is damaged and does not perform its normal functions. Immunosuppression may be induced by drugs (e.g. in chemotherapy) or result from certain disease processes, such as HIV infection. | |
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| Incidence |
The number of new cases arising during a particular period. Often expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 population. |
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| INCUBATION PERIOD |
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The time interval between the initial infection with a pathogen (e.g., HIV) and the appearance of the first symptom or sign of disease. | |
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| Induction therapy |
In initial management of HIV infection, induction therapy is initiated to stabilize the damage already caused by the infection. Induction therapy is follower by longer term maintenance therapy. |
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| Infectious unit |
The smallest amount of virus capable of producing an infection. |
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| Integrase |
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A viral enzyme that integrates the viral genetic code into the host cell�s DNA. | |
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| Intercellular |
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Between two or more cells | |
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| Intracellular |
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