Glossary

We all sometimes see words we don't recognise, or don't understand. The aidsmap glossary brings together words and phrases you might find when reading about HIV and AIDS, particularly in papers written for scientific or medical journals.

If you have suggestions for words or phrases we could add, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch through our contact us page or email us at info@nam.org.uk.

# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
nadir

Lowest out of a series of measurements.

naïve

Never having taken anti-HIV treatments before.

named patient basis prescribing

A means of access to an unlicensed drug, in which a doctor requests supplies from its manufacturer for a specific individual.

National Cholesterol Education Programme

US programme aimed at reducing high blood cholesterol. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/ncep/index.htm

natural killer cells

Cells in the immune system which attack and destroy infected cells or tumour cells.

nausea

Feeling sick.

negative predictive value

When using a diagnostic test, the percentage of those testing negative who really don’t have the medical condition. This will vary according the prevalence in the local population.

neoplasm

An abnormal and uncontrolled growth of tissue; a tumour.

nephrotoxic

Damaging to the kidneys.

neuralgia

A sharp pain along the path of a nerve.

neurological

Relating to the brain or nervous system.

neuropathy

Damage to the nerves.

neutropenia

A shortage of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that fights bacterial infections.

neutrophils

Immune cells in the blood which can attack bacteria and fungal infections.

NNRTI

Non nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, the family of antiretrovirals which includes efavirenz, nevirapine and delavirdine.

nocte

Latin term meaning night.

non-inferiority trial

A clinical trial which aims to demonstrate that a new treatment is not worse than another. While the two drugs may have comparable results in terms of virological response, the new drug may have fewer side-effects, be cheaper or have other advantages. See also ‘equivalence trial’ and ‘superiority trial’.

NRTI

Nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor, the family of antiretrovirals which includes AZT, ddI, 3TC, d4T, ddC and abacavir.

nucleoside

One of the building blocks from which DNA and RNA are made.

nucleoside analogue

Chemical which resembles a nucleoside. Family of antiretrovirals which includes AZT, ddI, 3TC, d4T, ddC and abacavir.

nucleotide analogue

Chemical which resembles a nucleotide. Family of antiretrovirals which includes tenofovir.

null hypothesis

Our starting point for any hypothesis test, which assumes no effect.

number needed to treat

The average number of patients who need to be given a treatment in order to prevent one patient from having a bad outcome (e.g. AIDS or death).

Community Consensus Statement on Access to HIV Treatment and its Use for Prevention

Together, we can make it happen

We can end HIV soon if people have equal access to HIV drugs as treatment and as PrEP, and have free choice over whether to take them.

Launched today, the Community Consensus Statement is a basic set of principles aimed at making sure that happens.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.