Infection of the vagina caused by the yeast-like fungus Candida (especially Candida albicans). Symptoms include, pain, itching, redness, and white patches in the vaginal wall. It can occur in all women, but is especially common in women with HIV infection. The usual treatment is a cream applied locally to the vagina. Women with HIV infection may experience frequent re-occurrence of symptoms and may require systemic medications in order to treat these symptoms successfully. (See also Candidiasis.)

A virus in the herpes family that causes chicken pox during childhood and may reactivate later in life to cause herpes zoster (shingles; see) in immunosuppressed individuals.

Transmission of a pathogen such as HIV from mother to foetus or baby during pregnancy or birth. See Perinatal Transmission.

Within HIV's envelope is a bullet-shaped core made of another protein, p24, that surrounds the viral RNA. Each strand of HIV RNA contains the virus� nine genes. Three of these � gag, pol, and env � are structural genes that contain information needed to make structural proteins. The env gene, for example, codes for gp160, a protein that is later broken down to gp120 and gp41. See Surrogate Marker.

HIV is spherical in shape, with a diameter of 1/10,000 of a millimeter. The outer coat, or envelope, is composed of two layers of fat-like molecules called lipids, taken from the membranes of human cells. Embedded in the envelope are numerous cellular proteins, as well as mushroom-shaped HIV proteins that protrude from the surface. Each mushroom is thought to consist of four gp41 molecules embedded in the envelope. The virus uses these proteins to attach to and infect cells.

(Viral Burden) The number of copies of viral RNA per ml of plasma. An undetectable (i.e. very low) viral load appears to be associated with a more durable response to treatment and is thus an aim of antiviral therapy.

Test that measures the quantity of HIV RNA in the blood. Results are expressed as the number of copies per milliliter of blood plasma. Research indicates that viral load is a better predictor of the risk of HIV disease progression than the CD4 count. The lower the viral load the longer the time to AIDS diagnosis and the longer the survival time. Viral load testing for HIV infection is being used to determine when to initiate and/or change therapy.

Point a which an individual�s viral load is at its lowest, as established by sequential viral load testing.

A minute parasitic organism, much smaller than a bacterium, which can replicate only inside the cells of its host. Consists of a core of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat. Viral genes are integrated into the host's genes and instruct the host cell to make viral protein.