Glossary


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A / B / C / D / E / F / G / H / I / J / K / L / M / N / O / P / Q / R / S / T / U / V / W / X / Y / Z - Full List

A

Adherence

The degree to which a patient exactly follows a prescribed treatment regimen

Affirming

A positive position

AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Allergic

Having an allergy to a particular substance

Amputation

The removal of a limb, or any other portion of the body

Anaesthetic

An agent that reduces or abolishes sensation, affecting either the whole body or a particular area

Anal

Relating to or situated near the anus

Anal sex

Sex which relates or is situated near to the anus

Analytical Test

To analyse

Antibodies

Protein substances produced by the immune system in response to an infection

Anxiety

A state of being anxious

Arousal

When a person has been sexually stimulated

Arteries

Blood vessels carrying blood away from the heart

Arteriosclerotic

Relating to a disease of the arteries

Artery

A blood vessel which carries blood away from the heart

B

Benign

Not harmful

Biopsy

The removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination

Bisexual

Males or females who are sexually or romantically attracted to both sexes.

Bladder

A sack shaped organ that stores urine

Blood borne

Infections that are carried by blood and blood products

Braille

A system of writing and printing for people who are blind or visually impaired

Bravado

A bold manner intended to impress

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

D

Debilitating

When health is being adversely affected

Decriminalisation

The act of ceasing to treat an action as criminal

Defaecating

The act of discharging faeces from the body

Dementia

A chronic or persistent disorder of behaviour and higher intellectual function due to organic brain disease

Dental dam

A rubberised oral shield

Depression

A mental state characterised by excessive sadness

DES

Diethylstilbestrol - this was a synthetic form of oestrogen which was used in the 1950s and 1960s to stabilise problem pregnancies. It was later found to have an adverse effect on the foetus and was discontinued.

Diabetes

Any disorder of metabolism with excessive thirst and the production of large volumes of urine

Dialysis

A method of separating particles of different dimensions in a liquid mixture

Discharge

Emission

Disclosure

The act of revealing, making something known

Discrimination

Unfavourable treatment based on prejudice. e.g.: sexuality, ethnic minority, age

Dormant

Lying inactive as in sleep

Dysfunction

An abnormality or impairment which affects how something would work

E

Ectopic pregnancy

A pregnancy where the foetus has developed outside of the uterus, or womb.

Efavirenz

An anti HIV drug that belongs to the class of anti-HIV drugs known as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)

Ejaculate

When semen is ejected from the penis

Ejaculation

When semen is ejected from the penis

Endocrine

A gland that produces one or more hormones and secretes them directly into the bloodstream

Endometriosis

The presence of tissue similar to the lining of the uterus at other sites in the pelvis

Engorgement

Congested with blood

Epididymis

A tube that connects the testes to the vas deferens

Erectile

Relating to that which can become erect

Erection

When the penis becomes erect and enlarged

Erogenous

Part of the body sensitive to sexual stimulation

Erotic

That which tend to arouse sexual desire or excitement

Excision

To cut out tissue, an organ or tumour from the body

Excretion

When waste is discharged from the body

Exertion

Endeavouring, striving towards something

F

Faecal

Relating to faeces

Fallopian tubes

Either of a pair of tubes that conduct egg cells from the ovary to the uterus

Fastidious

Careful in matters of taste and choice, fussy

Femidoms

A sheath worn inserted into the vagina to prevent unwanted pregnancy or infection

First line therapy

The starting therapy for someone who has never received therapy before

Flu

A highly contagious virus infection that affects the respiratory system

Foreplay

Stimulation preceding sexual intercourse

G

Gay

Males or females who are sexually or romantically attracted to their own sex

Gender-reassignment

The process of change from one gender to another

Genetic

Inherited genes

Genital

Relating to or situated near the genitals

Genitalia

The genitals

Genitals

Male or female reproductive organs

Genito-urinary

Of the genital and urinary organs

Genotypic testing

During genotypic analysis, the genetic makeup of a person's HIV is evaluated to determine the likelihood of drug resistance

Gonorrhoea

Sexually transmitted infection

GUM

Genito Urinary Medicine

Gynaecological

Relating to the study of diseases of women and girls, particularly those affecting the reproductive system

H

Haemorrhagic

Relating to the escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver

Hepatitis A

Inflammation of the liver type A

Hepatitis B

Inflammation of the liver type B

Hepatitis C

Inflammation of the liver type C

Heterosexual

Women and men who are sexually or romantically attracted to the opposite sex.

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Holistic

The treating of the whole person including mental and social factors rather than just the symptoms of a disease

Hormone

Regulatory substances transported by blood to stimulate cells or tissue into action

Hydrocele

The accumulation of watery liquid, usually the sac surrounding the testes

I

Illnesses

Illness - a state of being ill by disease, ailment etc

Immune system

The body's system for fighting infection

Immunised

Made resistant to a particular infection, toxin etc

Immunoglobulin

Any of a group of structurally related blood proteins which function as antibodies

Implants

Substance or devices inserted into the body

Incontinence

The inability control movement of the bowels or bladder or both

Infections

Communication of a virus through air, water or blood

Infertility

Inability of a woman to conceive or in a man to induce conception

Infibulation

An extensive form of female circumcision which involves the excision of the clitoris, labia minora, and labia majora

Inhibition

An emotional resistance to a thought or action

Insomnia

An inability to sleep

Intercourse

The physical act of two bodies joined together by the genital organs

Interventions

Preventative methods

Ischaemic

Relating to a reduction of the blood supply to part of the body

L

Labia majora

The larger of the two pairs of skin folds enclosing the vulva

Labia minora

The smaller of the two pairs of skin folds enclosing the vulva

Lesbian

Women who are sexually and romantically attracted to other women

Lewd and libidinous

Indecently lustful

Libido

Drive or energy associated with sexual desire

Lymph glands

A small mass of tissue in the lymphatic system

M

Malignant

Cancerous, virulent or infectious

Manic depression

A severe mental disorder causing repeated episodes of depression, mania or both. Also known as bipolar disorder

Masculinity

Characteristic of men, their qualities and gender

Masturbate

To arouse yourself sexually or to cause another person to be aroused by the manual stimulation of the genitals

Masturbating

The act of arousing yourself sexually or to cause another person sexual arousal by the manual stimulation of the genitals

Masturbation

The act of arousing yourself sexually or to cause another person sexual arousal by the manual stimulation of the genitals

Measles

A highly infection virus disease that mainly affects children

Menopause

When menstruation comes to an end

Menstrual

Of or relating to menstruation

Menstruation

The process of discharging blood and other materials from the lining of the uterus

Micro-organisms

Microscopic organism e.g.: bacterium or virus

Mono therapy

Taking only one anti HIV drug

Mucous

A moist membrane that lines many tubular structures in the body

Mumps

A common virus infection

Mumps orchitis

Mumps: A common virus infection

Mutation

A process of change or alteration

Mutilation

The disfiguring of any part of the body

N

Nadir

The lowest point in a persons fortunes

Neurological

Relating to the scientific study of nerve systems

Non - consensual

Without permission

O

Obesity

Abnormally overweight

Oestrogen

A steroid hormone that controls female sexual development

Oral

Relating to or situated near the mouth

Oral sex

Sex which relates or is situated near to the mouth

Orchitis

Inflammation of the testis

Orgasm

The climax of sexual excitement

Ovarian

Relating to the female reproduction organs, the ovaries

P

Paedophile

A person who displays paedophilia

Paedophilia

Sexual desire directed towards children

Palpitations

Throbbing, trembling

Pelvic

Relating to or situated near the pelvis

Pelvic floor

A series of muscles that form a sling or hammock across the opening of the pelvis

Pelvic inflammatory disease

A sexually transmitted infection

Pelvis

The bony structure formed by the hip bones

Penetrative

To go inside. To enter.

Penetrative sex

To go inside. To enter. Commonly the penis entering the vagina, although there are other forms of penetrative sex

Penile

Relating to or situated near the penis

Penis

A male organ which discharges urine and semen

Period

An occurrence of menstruation

Persistent

Continue obstinately, repetitively

Phenotypic testing

Directly exposes a person's virus to antiviral drugs to determine how much of the drug is required to block viral activity

Physiology

The science of living organisms

PID

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Post natal depression

A period of depression in women, varying in severity, usually associated with the period following giving birth.

Pregnancy

The condition of or an instance of being pregnant.

Prejudice

Impartial, bigoted behaviour.

Prepuce

The folds of skins that grows over the end of the penis

Progestogen

A steroid hormone that occurs naturally to assist with the normal course of pregnancy

Proprietary

Drug or medicine marketed under and protected by a registered trade name

Prostate

The prostate gland is found in men. It is located just below the bladder, and is closely associated with sexual function since it produces a component of semen

Prosthesis

Any artificial device that is attached to the body as an aid

Prostitute

A person who engages in sexual activity for in exchange for payment

Protease Inhibitors

Drug that bind to and blocks HIV protease from working, thus preventing the production of new functional viral particles

Puberty

A period during which adolescents reach maturity and become capable of reproduction

R

Radiotherapy

The treatment of disease with penetrating radiation

Rectal

Relating to or situated near the rectum

Regimen

A course of medication that must be strictly adhered to

Renal

Relating to or affecting the kidneys

Reproductive

The ability to reproduce

Resistance testing

Measures whether or not a person's virus is resistant to antiviral medications

Retrograde ejaculation

Retrograde ejaculation is the feeling of orgasm experienced with sexual activity but nothing comes out of the penis

Rim

To stimulate the anus with the tongue

Ruptured

When a cell or membrane is burst or broken

S

Safer sex

Sexual activity in which informed decisions are taken

Salvage therapy

Treatment options for people with lengthy experience of anti-HIV drugs

Scrotum

The paired sac that holds the testes and epididymides outside the abdominal cavity

Self esteem

A good opinion of your self

Self harm

When someone harms or injures themselves intentionally

Semen

The fluid ejaculated from the penis at sexual climax

Sensual

A sense, sensation or sensory experience in relation to sex

Sex

Act of sexual intercourse

Sexual intercourse

Physical contact that involves stimulation of the genitals

Sexually Transmitted Infection

An infection transmitted through sexual intercourse

Shaft

Length of the penis

Smear tests

A specimen of cellular material scraped from the cervix of the uterus that is stained and examined under a microscope to detect cell changes indicating the presence of cancer

Sodomy

Anal intercourse

Spasm

A sudden involuntary muscular contraction

Sperm

The male reproductive fluid

Spermicide

A substance that can kill sperm

Spina bifida

A congenital defect of the spine

Statute

Written law

Statutory

Required, enacted or permitted by statute.

Stereotypical

A way in which a person conforms to a standarised behaviour

STI

Sexually Transmitted Infection

Stools

Faeces discharged from the anus

Straight

Women and men who are sexually or romantically attracted to the opposite sex

Stress

Anything that threatens the physical and emotional well being of the body, having an adverse reaction on how it functions

Stroke

A sudden disabling attack or loss of consciousness caused by an interruption in the flow of the blood to the brain

Symptom

An indication of ill health, disease or disorder

T

T cells

T cells contribute to the immune defenses

Testicle

Either of the pair of male sex organs within the scrotum

Testosterone

A steroid hormone that stimulates development of male secondary sexual characteristics

Torsion

Abnormal twisting of testis within the scrotum

Toxoplasmosis

A disease of mammals and birds, usually transmitted to humans through ingesting undercooked meat or cat faeces

Transgendered

Someone who had undergone or is undergoing the process of changing their physical characteristics from one gender to another

Transsexual

Someone who believes that they belong to the sex opposite to their biological gender

Transuretheral resection

An operation performed when the prostate gland becomes enlarged

Trauma

Emotional shock or physical injury

Tumour

Abnormal swelling in or on any part of the body

U

Unconsummated

Sexual intercourse has not taken place

Urethra

The duct by which urine is discharged from the bladder

Urethral

Relating to or situated near the urethra

Urinary tract

The entire system of ducts that conduct urine from the kidneys to the exterior

Urinating

The discharge of urine

Urination

The discharge of urine

Uterine

Of or relating to the uterus

Uterus

The womb

V

Vaccine

An antigenic preparation used to stimulate antibodies and provide immunity

Vagina

A female organ between the uterus and vulva

Vaginal

Relating to or situated near the vagina

Vaginal fluid

Fluid that is excreted by the vagina when a woman is sexually aroused

Vaginal sex

Sex which relates or is situated near to the vagina

Vascular

Relating to or supplied with blood vessels

Vasectomy

A surgical procedure carried out on men which disconnects the testis from the seminal vesicle and the uretha causing sterility

Viagra

Viagra is a medication used to erectile dysfunction

Viral load

The amount of virus in the blood

Viral replication

The process by which a virus copies itself

Virus

A minute particle that is capable of replication but only within living cells

Vulvar

Relating to the vulva, the external opening of the vagina