HIV/AIDS: Terminology, Biology and Ideology

Melasma (from the Greek word, ‘melas’ meaning black) is a common, acquired, circumscribed hypermelanosis of the skin. It presents as symmetric, hyperpigmented macules having irregular, serrated, and geographic borders. The most common locations are the face, forehead, cheeks, upper lips, the chin, and the forehead, but other sun-exposed areas may also occasionally be involved.


Receding hairline is known as frontal fibrosing alopecia can be seen as a condition where the hairline recedes and in some extreme cases, for up to 5 inches. It mostly, affects all around the scalp, forming a band like pattern of hair loss. 


Some causes:
Hormonal imbalances (this is particularly vivid during pregnancy).
Ovarian Tumors
Adrenal gland tumors
Autoimmune disorders where the body destroys hair follicles.
Alopecia Areata
Excessive processing of hair
Excessive pulling of hair
Infectious diseases such as eczema, acne and fungal infections
Trauma, especially burns on your hairline might make your hair never to grow back.
Low levels of estrogen has been found to accelerate the problem
High testosterone and/or DHEA

Birth control pill (they deplete zinc, which is essential in hair growth, and are high in male hormones).

CD-4 (or T-4): A blood test which measures the strength of the immune system

viral load: A blood test which measures the level of activity of the human immunodeficiency virus in the blood

“the cocktail”: the nickname for any number of combinations of highly powerful drugs which have been developed, since the mid-1990s, to treat HIV/AIDS

lipodystrophy: redistribution of body fat seen in people on HAART, most commonly in the belly and back of the neck

lipoatrophy: loss of fat, sometimes to a debilitating extent, in the face, limbs and buttocks

HAART: Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy aka “the cocktail”

MSMMen who have sex with men; a group of men epidemiologists and AIDS service organizations have identified who, while not identifying as gay, do have sex with men and sometimes fail to receive adequate HIV/AIDS prevention information and support

PEP “Post-Exposure Prophylaxis”: a four week daily dose of anti-HIV medications (in pill form) that can potentially stop HIV infection after exposure. PEP must be started within 72 hours of exposure. The sooner you start taking it the better

PrEP: the use of an HIV medication by someone who is HIV-negative to prevent HIV infection. PrEP stands for “Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis”, meaning it is a tool to stop infection (“prophylaxis”) and is taken before you are exposed to HIV

WSW: Women who have sex with women; a group of women epidemiologists and AIDS service organizations have identified who, while not identifying as lesbian, do have sex with women and sometimes fail to receive adequate HIV/AIDS prevention information and support

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