Glossary
AIDS: Acronym for the disease “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome” caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Aspergillus: A genus of fungi containing species that can cause invasive disease in immunocompromised (having a weakened immune system) individuals such as HIV/AIDS patients.
Candida albicans: An opportunistic pathogenic yeast that is a commensal gut microbe. It infects immunocompromised individuals such as HIV/AIDS patients.
Cryptococcus neoformans: An encapsulated yeast that rarely infects healthy people. It mostly infects people with a weakened immune system (immunocompromised) such as HIV/AIDS patients.
Hepatitis B Virus: A virus that infects the liver and can cause cancer.
Hepatitis C Virus: A virus that infects the liver and causes hepatitis or inflammation of the liver.
Herpes Simplex Virus: Virus causing herpes that is characterized by highly contagious cold sores around the mouth or face, or on the genitalia.
HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which causes AIDS.
Influenza Virus: A respiratory virus responsible for causing influenza, commonly known as flu.
Neutropenia: Decrease in the number of neutrophils in the blood, below their normal count.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): A respiratory virus that causes infection of the lungs and airways; infants and small children are particularly susceptible to RSV.
Rotavirus: A virus that causes severe diarrhea, especially in infants and young children.
