Glossary

AIDs/HIV

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease.

Factor VIII

Antihemophilic factor VIII and von Willebrand factor injection is a combination product that is used to treat serious bleeding episodes in patients with a bleeding problem called von Willebrand disease (VWD). The bleeding episode may be related to an injury (trauma) or a surgical procedure. This medicine may also be used to stop bleeding in patients with hemophilia A.

Hemophilia

Hemophilia is a rare disorder in which your blood doesn't clot normally because it lacks sufficient blood-clotting proteins (clotting factors). If you have hemophilia, you may bleed for a longer time after an injury than you would if your blood clotted normally.

Transfusion

A blood transfusion is a routine medical procedure that can be lifesaving. During a blood transfusion, donated blood is added to your own blood. A blood transfusion may also be done to supplement various components of your blood with donated blood products. In some cases, a blood transfusion is done with blood that you've donated ahead of time before you undergo elective surgery.