Glossary

haemoglobin – substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

acute infection – early infection (first few months with HIV).

HIV PCR DNA test – a test that looks for HIV DNA (called integrated HIV) in blood. This is similar to viral load test which usually test for HIV RNA.

empirical treatment – treating an illness based on its symptoms to see if it gets better.

qualitative (in a study) – where what is being measured either fits one of several categories, or includes descriptive results.