Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

HIV infection, primary
The stage of infection by
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), in which
detectable antibodies to HIV appear in the blood
(seroconversion). It normally takes from several
weeks to several months for antibodies to the virus
to develop after HIV transmission. When antibodies
to HIV appear in the blood, a person tests positive in
the standard ELISA test for HIV. Primary HIV infec-
tion may or may not include the symptoms of acute
HIV. See also 
AIDS; HIV infection, acute.
hive
A raised, itchy area of skin that is often a sign
of an allergic reaction. A hive can be rounded or flat
topped but is always elevated above the surrounding
skin. It reflects circumscribed edema (local
swelling) of the skin. Hives are usually well circum-
scribed but may be coalescent, and they blanch with
pressure. They may last for several minutes, hours,
or may persist for days. Approximately 20–25 per-
cent of the population has experienced hives.
Treatment is administration of antihistamines. Also
known as urticaria and welt.
HLA
Human leukocyte antigen, the major human
histocompatibility system. HLA typing is done before
transplantation to determine the degree of tissue
compatibility between donor and recipient.
Hodgkin’s disease
A type of lymphoma, a can-
cer that develops in the lymph system, part of the
body’s immune system. Because there is lymph tis-
sue in many parts of the body, Hodgkin’s disease can
start in almost any part of the body. The cancer can
spread to almost any organ or tissue in the body,
including the liver, bone marrow, and spleen.
Hodgkin’s disease most commonly affects young
adults in their 20s and 30s, as well as people older
than 55 years. Symptoms include painless swelling
of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin;
fever; night sweats; tiredness; weight loss; and itchy
skin. Diagnosis is made by biopsy of the lymph
node. The chance of recovery (prognosis) and
choice of treatment depend on a number of factors,
including the stage of the cancer and whether it is in
just one area or has spread throughout the body.
Treatment includes radiation and/or chemotherapy.