Antiretroviral: A drug that suppresses the activity or replication of retroviruses such as HIV by interfering with various stages of the viral life cycle.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS): A disease of the body’s immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIDS is characterized by the death of CD4 cells (an important part of the body’s immune system), which leaves the body vulnerable to life-threatening conditions such as infections and cancers.

AZT (zidovudine): Sold under the brand name Retrovir, a drug approved for use as part of combination antiretroviral therapy to treat HIV disease.

HAART: Highly active antiretroviral therapy. Combinations of drugs people with HIV take to control the virus.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): The virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Microbicide: An agent that inactivates, kills or destroys microbes like viruses.

T cell: A disease-fighting white blood cell, including CD4 and CD8 cells. HIV infects and kills CD4 cells, weakening the immune system. The number of CD4 cells in a blood sample indicates the health of the immune system.

Viral load: The amount of viral genetic material in the blood or other tissues, often expressed as number of copies per milliliter (mL).

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