| ADD | AIDS-defining disease |
| AIDS | Acquired immune deficiency syndrome |
| AZT | Azidothymidine |
| CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| CTL | Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes |
| CMV | Cytomegalovirus |
| DNA | Deoxyribonucleic acid |
| EM | Electron micrograph |
| HBV | Hepatitis B Virus |
| HHSV-VI | Human herpes simplex virus 6 |
| HHV | Human Herpes Virus |
| HIV | Human Immunodeficiency Virus |
| HTLV-II | Human T-cell Leukaemia Virus 2 |
| NIAID | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases |
| NIH | National Institutes of Health |
| NIV | National Institute of Virology |
| OD | Optical Density |
| PCR | Polymerase chain reaction |
| PEP | Post exposure prophylaxis |
| RCT | Randomised Controlled Trial |
| RNA | Ribonucleic acid |
| SADHS | The South African Demographic and Health Survey |
| SAIMR | South African Institute of Medical Research |
| SIV | Simian Immunodeficiency Virus |
| STD | Sexually transmitted disease |
| STI | Sexually transmitted infections |
| US(A) | United States (of America) |
| WHO | World Health Organisation |
2012-01-08