Antiretrovirals
HIV medication taken to treat and manage the virus.

ARVs / ARTs (both stand for antiretroviral therapy)
HIV medication taken to treat and manage the virus.

BHIVA
The British HIV Association. The association that writes the guidelines for the treatment and medical care for people with HIV in the UK.

CD4 cells
CD4 cells are white blood cells that play an important role in the immune system.

CD4 count
A laboratory test measures the number of CD4 cells in the blood and identify how well the immune system is performing.

Clinician
A doctor having direct contact with patients rather than being involved with theoretical or laboratory studies.

Colostrum
The fluid breasts produce in the first few days after birth. Also known as ‘liquid gold’.

Disclosure
When used in relation to HIV,  the act of sharing your own, or someone else’s, HIV status.

Health visitor
A trained nurse who visits people in their homes to assist or advise parents with very young children.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
A virus that affects the immune system.

Infant PrEP
Is taken by babies born to mothers and birthing parents living with HIV. The length of time infant PrEP is taken depends on the birthing parent’s viral load.

Lactate
The process of producing and releasing milk from the mammary glands in your breasts.

Lactation specialist/consultant
A health professional who specialises in breastfeeding issues and support.

Latch/latching
A breastfeeding latch is how a baby attaches to the breast during breastfeeding.

Midwife
A trained person who assists in childbirth.

Paediatrician
A medical doctor who manages medical conditions affecting infants, children and young people.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
A pill that prevents HIV transmission. It is taken by HIV negative people after sex.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
A pill that prevents HIV transmission. It is taken by HIV negative people before and after sex.

Preventing vertical transmission
The process of preventing a baby acquiring HIV in the womb, during childbirth or breastfeeding. Also known as preventing mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT).

Specialist midwife
Provide expert midwifery care to groups of women with additional support needs.

Status/my status
Referring to a person’s HIV status or diagnosis.

Transmission / HIV transmission
The transfer of HIV from one person to another. HIV can be transmitted through sex, pregnancy, labour, delivery, breastfeeding or sharing injection drug equipment. HIV transmission can be prevented by taking antiretrovirals (medication to treat HIV).

Undetectable viral load
Having an undetectable viral load means there are such low levels of HIV in your blood that it cannot be seen or measured, even with sophisticated scientific equipment (less than 50). An undetectable viral load means the virus cannot impact the immune system of someone living with HIV. Also known as virologically suppressed.

U=U / Undetectable = Untransmittable
An undetectable viral loads means someone with HIV cannot pass on HIV during sex (with or without a condom). U=U does not apply to breast milk and the most recent evidence shows there is a small chance of HIV transmission through breastfeeding (less than one per 1000 breastfeeding babies) even when someone has an undetectable viral load.

Vertical transmission
When a baby acquires HIV in the womb, during childbirth or breastfeeding. Also known as preventing mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT).

Viral load
The amount of virus in the blood. Measuring it is a helpful way to see how HIV is affecting the immune system of a person with HIV. The aim is to have a low viral load count, which can be suppressed with HIV medication and become undetectable.