HIV and aging glossary

Please note: some of the terminology listed below is constantly evolving and has different meanings in specific communities. It is best to use the language and terms that a person prefers.

Term/Abbreviation	Definition
Ageism	Stereotyping or discriminating against people because of their age, often experienced by older people.
AIDS	Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the late stage of HIV that occurs when the body’s immune system is badly damaged because of the virus. To be diagnosed with AIDS, a person with HIV must have an AIDS-defining condition as per the Centers for Disease Control or have a CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm³ (regardless of whether the person has an AIDS-defining condition).
ART	Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) utilized in the treatment of HIV that involves taking medications that inhibit viral replication and therefore slow the progression of HIV.
ASCVD	Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) is a type of cardiovascular disease caused by high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood.
Asexual	Describes a peson who generally feels little to no sexual attraction towards others. Some people believe asexuality to be a sexual orientation. Many asexuals identify along a spectrum which includes their sexual, physical, emotional and romantic attraction to others.
Beers Criteria	The Beers Criteria contains a list of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) where the risk of use in older adults may outweigh the benefits. Included are medications that should be avoided, dosed differently or used with caution in an older population.
Bias	An inclination or prejudice for or against a person, group or thing. People may not be aware that they have this inclination or prejudice which is referred to as unconscious bias.
CD4 T-Cell	CD4 cells (also known as CD4+ T cells) are white blood cells that fight infection. CD4 cell count is an indicator of immune function in people living with HIV. In a normal adult a CD4 range is 500-1500, average noted at 1,000.
Cisgender	A gender identity that aligns with the person's assigned sex at birth.
Comorbidity	Presence of more than one medical condition at the same time.
Coronary Calcium Screening	A specialized X-ray test that can detect and measure calcium-containing plaque in the arteries.
CVD	Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the name for the group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels.
Drug – Drug Interactions	When two or more drugs react with each other. This drug-drug interaction may cause someone to experience an unexpected side effect or affect drug potency.
Food Security/Insecurity	A measure of the availability of nutritious food and an individuals' ability to access it.
Gender Expression	How a person chooses to outwardly present their gender; typically through dress, voice, behaviors and other external expressions. These expressions may not conform to the current perceptions or expectations of masculinity or feminity within a society. One's gender expression often reflects one's gender identity but this is not always the case.
Gender Identity	The internal sense of one's gender This may be as a man, woman, trans, or some other identity along the gender spectrum. This identity may differ from the sex assigned at birth.
Gender Non-conforming	Describes a person who does not follow the typical roles, expressions, behaviors and expectations of the prevailing societal and cultural norms. This is most commonly used to refer to gender expression and not gender identity.
HAART	HAART is the acronym for "highly active antiretroviral therapy". HAART is a customized combination of different classes of medications that are prescribed based on factors such as the patient’s viral load, CD4+ cell count and any possible resistance to specific medications.
HbA1c	Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) is a blood test to determine your average blood sugar over the past three months. Hemoglobin A1c levels: Normal: Below 5.7%; Indicates prediabetes: 5.7% thru 6.4%; Indicates diabetes: 6.5% or higher.
Heterogeneous	Something that is composed of different or unlike elements.
Health Disparities	Poor health outcomes or access to quality healthcare related to barriers based on factors such as economic status, race, ethnicity, gender orientation, geography, immigrant status, and/or disability.
HIV	Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. It is transmitted through blood, semen, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
HIV Viral Replication	The process by which HIV makes new copies of itself. HIV infects and uses CD4+ cells to replicate.
Immunocompromised	When the body is unable to produce an adequate immune response. A person may be immunocompromised because of a disease, such as HIV.
Intersectionality	The overlapping of different forms of discrimination.
Intersex	A term used to describe variations of the body (including chromosome, hormones, external and internal genitals) that do not conform to the typical definitions of male and female bodies.
LGBTQ	An abbreviation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or Questioning). Additions to the abbreviation include: LGBTQI (for Intersex) and LGBTQIA (for Intersex, Asexual). It is meant to be an inclusive term for all genders and sexual orientations. The + sign sometimes seen at the end of the abbreviation (for example LGBTQ+) is intended to represent all persons whose gender identity or sexual orientation is not captured under the LGBTQIA acronym
Long-term Survivor	Someone who has lived with HIV for more than ten years.
Misgendering	Intentionally or unintentionally labeling or ascribing a gender to a person that does not reflect that person's true gender identity. This often occurs by using incorrect pronouns or assuming to know a person's gender identity. Misgendering a person may cause them to feel invalidated, disrespected and cause other negative mental health consequences.
Multimorbidity	The presence of two or more medical conditions.
Myalgia	Muscle pain
Myopathy	Disease or disorder of the muscle tissue or muscles.
Myositis	Inflammation and degeneration of muscle tissue.
Natal Organ	An organ present in the body at the time of birth
Non-Binary	A gender identity that lies outside the two gender binary of male or female
PEP	Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) refers to taking an HIV medication after a recent, or suspected, exposure to the HIV virus to prevent HIV acquisition.
PI	Protease Inhibitors (PIs) are a class of antiviral medications used to treat HIV.
PLWH	People Living with HIV; Person Living with HIV
Polypharmacy	Refers to the regular use of at least five medications. Polypharmacy increases the risk of adverse medical outcomes.
Rhabdomyolysis	A life-threatening condition caused by muscle breakdown and/or death.
RPE	Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) is a quantitative measure of perceived exertion during physical activity.
Ryan White Programs	The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides a comprehensive system of HIV primary medical care, essential support services, and medications for low-income people with HIV. More than half of people with diagnosed HIV in the United States receive services through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program each year.
Seronegative	Testing negative for the presence of HIV antibodies.
Sex assigned at birth	The sex assigned by a medical professional to an infant at the time of birth primarily based on external genitalia.
Sexual Orientation	Describes who a person is inherently attracted to in a sexual, romantic or emotional way. A person's sexual orientation may change over time.
Social Isolation	Social Isolation describes the absence of social contact and can lead to loneliness and other negative consequences that can impact health. It is a state of being cut off from normal social networks.
SOGI	An acronym for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. SOGI questions are often asked of patients while at a healthcare facility (typically during registration), to help provide awareness and better care of the person.
Statin	A class of drugs that act to reduce levels of fats, including triglycerides and cholesterol, in the blood.
Stigma	Negative attitudes that lead people to reject, avoid, or fear what is seen as different or disgraceful.
TasP	Treatment as Prevention (TasP) refers to taking HIV medication to lower the amount of circulating HIV and prevent the sexual transmission of HIV. Related to U=U.
Transgender	A general term to describe a person whose gender identity or expression differs from the gender they were assigned at birth. Sometimes abbreviated as "Trans"' which may be a more inclusive term for non-binary and gender non-conforming persons. Related terms include Trans man and Trans woman.
Transitioning	A term used to describe the process one undertakes to live as one's gender identity. This process is very individualized. It may include medical interventions such as surgery or hormones. Alternations in one's physical appearance such as through clothing, hair style or make up may occur. Additionally transitioning may include using affirming pronouns, or legally changing one's name.
Trauma Informed Care	An approach to care that recognizes the effect of trauma on all aspects of health. Trauma-informed care: • Understands the widespread impact of trauma and the paths for recovery. • Recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma and integrates knowledge about trauma into practice. • Actively avoids re-traumatization.
U=U	Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) indicates that if a person with HIV is on HIV meds (ART) with a consistently undetectable HIV viral load, the virus cannot be transmitted to a sex partner. Related to TasP
Viral Load	Viral load is the amount of HIV in the blood plasma.
Viral Suppression	Viral Suppression is reducing the replication of a virus. In HIV, a regimen is successful when a Viral Load is at an undetectable level by standard laboratory testing.
Viremia	The presence of a virus in the blood. For example, HIV Viremia is the presence of the HIV Virus in the blood.