Glossary


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C

Cardiac

Relating to or affecting to heart

Catheter

A flexible tube for insertion into a narrow opening

CD4 count

The CD4 cell (T-cell) count is a test which measures the number of CD4 cells in a blood sample

Cervical

Relating to or situated near the cervix

Cervical cancer

Cancer of the cervix of the uterus

Cervical smear

A specimen of cellular material from the neck of the womb

Cervix

A neck like part which projects into the vagina

Chemotherapy

The prevention or treatment of disease by the use of chemical substances

Chickenpox

A highly infectious disease caused by a herpes virus that is transmitted by airborne droplets

Chlamydia

Sexually transmitted infection

Chronic

Description of a disease or illness lasting for a long time

Circulatory

Relating to the circulation of blood

Circumcision

Surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis

Clitoris

Part of the female genitals located at the front end of the vulva

Co-infection

When more than one infection is present

Combination therapy

Taking a number of anti HIV drugs together

Combination therapy (Hepc)

Taking a number of anti hepatitis drugs together

Coming out

A process of openly acknowledging your sexuality

Compress

A pad pressed onto part of the body to relive inflammation, stop bleeding etc

Condoms

A sheath worn over the penis to prevent unwanted pregnancy or infection

Consensual

By consent or consensus

Consent

Give permission

Continence

Exercising self restraint

Contraception

The intentional prevention of pregnancy

Cross resistance

The phenomenon by which HIV and other disease-causing organisms become resistant to more than one drug after a single therapy

Cysts

A sac or closed cavity filled with liquid or semi-solid matter