paediatric

(pee-dee-a-trick)

Of or relating to children.

palliative

(pa-lee-a-tive)

To do with relieving rather than curing symptoms.

pancreas

(pan-kree-uss)

A glandular organ situated behind the stomach that secretes insulin and pancreatic digestive enzymes.

pancreatitis

(pan-kree-uh-ty-tuss)

A condition of the pancreas causing severe abdominal pain, shock and collapse, which can be fatal.

pancytopenia

(pan-sigh-toe-pee-nee-uh)

Low numbers of all blood cells.

PAP smear

A specimen of cells from the cervix, usually obtained in scrapings from the opening, which may be examined by microscope to look for abnormalities.

paraesthesia

(pa-russ-thee-see-uh)

Abnormal sensations of touch on the skin.

pathogen

(pa-tho-jen)

Any micro-organism which can cause disease. There are four main types: bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses.

pathogenesis

(pa-tho-jen-e-siss)

The ways in which disease is caused by a pathogen.

pc

Abbreviation of a Latin term meaning after food.

PCP

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, a form of pneumonia, which is an IDS defining illness.

PCR

Polymerase chain reaction, a method of amplifying fragments of genetic material so that they can be detected. Some viral load tests use this method.

perianal

(pe-ree-ay-nul)

Around the anus.

perinatal

(pe-ree-nay-tul)

Around the time of birth.

peripheral neuropathy

(per-riff-er-ul nure-op-uh-thee)

Damage to the nerves of the hands and/or feet, causing symptoms ranging from numbness to excruciating pain.

pharmacokinetic

(farm-a-ko-kin-et-ick)

The study of how a drug is absorbed and distributed throughout the body.

phase I

(faze one)

The earliest stage of a clinical trial in humans, designed to see if a

drug, or vaccine is safe and what the maximum safe dose is.

phase I/II

(faze one-two)

Stage of a clinical trial to see what the most effective dose of a drug

is.

phase II

(faze two)

Stage of a clinical trial to see if a drug is effective in the short-term.

phase III

(faze three)

Stage of a clinical trial when the experimental drug is given to large

numbers of people, at the dose determined in phase I or phase II. Often the trial drug is compared with a treatment already in use or with an inactive placebo.

phenotype

(fee-no-type)

Trait or behaviour which results from a particular genotype.

phosphorylation

(foss-fo-ri-lay-shun)

Process by which the NRTI drugs are converted within human cells into forms that inhibit HIV.

PI

See protease inhibitor.

placebo

(pla-see-bo)

A pill or liquid which looks and tastes exactly like a real drug, but contains no active substance.

plasma

(plaz-muh)

The fluid portion of the blood.

PML

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a serious brain infection.

poppers

Amyl, butyl or isobutyl nitrite, are recreational drugs sniffed during sex to both intensify the experience and relax anal sphincter muscles.

preclinical

Of in vitro research or research involving animals, undertaken prior to research in humans.

primary infection

The first few weeks after infection, e.g. with HIV.

pro-drug

A drug that is broken down into another active form inside the body.

prognosis

(prog-no-siss)

Likely outcome, such as the risk of disease progression.

proliferation

Multiplication (e.g. of immune system cells) to control an infection.

prophylaxis

(prof-fee-lax-iss)

Taking a drug to prevent an illness. Primary prophylaxis is the use of drugs to prevent a first occurrence of illness. Secondary prophylaxis is the use of drugs to prevent re-occurrence of illness.

protease

(pro-tee-ayze)

An enzyme that HIV uses to break up large proteins into smaller ones from which new HIV particles can be made.

protease inhibitor

(pro-tee-ayze in-hib-it-tor)

Family of antiretrovirals which target the protease enzyme. Includes amprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, nelfinavir, and atazanavir.

protein

(pro-teen)

A substance which forms the structure of most cells and enzymes.

protocol

(pro-toe-kol)

A detailed research plan that describes the aims and objectives of a clinical trial and how it will be conducted.

protozoa

(pro-toe-zo-uh)

A group of single-celled animals, a few of which cause human disease.

proviral DNA

The chemical form in which HIV's genetic information is stored within infected cells.

psoriasis

(sor-ry-uh-siss)

A disease in which the skin develops raised, rough, reddened areas.

psychiatry

A branch of medicine that treats people, using drugs and other physical methods, to change the way they act and feel.

psychology

A branch of medicine that tries to explain why people act, think and feel the way they do.

pulmonary

(pull-mun-er-ree)

Affecting the lungs.