Glossary
HIV and sexual health is an area full of acronyms and complex health terminology that may often look a whole lot more like Latin than not.
So to help cut through some of the more arcane terminology you might come across we have assembled this glossary of HIV and sexual health related terms.
A
ACON
Formerly known as the AIDS Council of NSW, ACON is a health promotion organisation specialising in HIV prevention, HIV support and LGBTI health.
A
Adherence
Commitment to a HIV treatment regime. This is essential in order to sustain viral suppression, reduced risk of drug resistance and overall improved health.
A
AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a condition in which HIV has severely weakened someone's immune system making them vulnerable to life-threatening infections and cancers.
A
Antibody
Antibodies are proteins which the immune system generates as a defence against infections such as HIV.
A
ART
Anti-retroviral therapy, also known as HIV treatment, is the use of a combination of different drugs for ongoing treatment of people living with HIV.
A
Asymptomatic
Referring to an infection or illness whereby no symptoms are produced or noticeable.
B
Bisexual
A person who is sexually attracted to both men and women.
C
CD4 count
A measure of the number of CD4 cells (or T-helper cells) in someone’s blood. CD4 cells are a type of immune system cell in the body that HIV attacks and kills over time. The lower the CD4 count, the weaker the immune system.
C
Chlamydia
A bacterial STI that can be spread during anal or oral sex. Most people will have no symptoms however when they do develop, may include discharge from the urethra (penis or front hole), burning with urination and painful testicles. Treatment to cure usually involves antibiotics.
C
Cisgender, cis
A person whose gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth i.e. someone who isn’t trans.
C
Condoms
Usually made of rubber or latex, it is a flexible sheath that covers a man's penis to prevent transmission of HIV and STIs.
D
Drug resistance
When a drug's effectiveness is reduced. This can lead to treatment failure for people living with HIV.
E
Epidemic
A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community or human population at a particular time.
F
Front hole
A word used to refer to the internal natal genitals of trans men, sometimes referred to as a vagina.
G
Gay
An umbrella term to refer to same-sex attracted people, especially a man attracted to other men. Also known as homosexual.
G
GBM
Gay and bisexual men.
G
Gender expression
Ways of communicating masculinity or femininity (or both or neither) externally ie clothing, hair style, mannerisms, ways of speaking and behavioural patterns when interacting with others.
G
Genital herpes
A viral STI most often transmitted through sexual contact. It causes sores, blisters or a rash around the genitals and is treated with antiviral medications. No cure or vaccination currently exists for genital herpes.
G
Gonorrhoea
A bacterial STI commonly diagnosed in MSM. Symptoms may include discharge from the urethra (penis or front hole) or anus, rectal irritation and conjunctivitis. Treatment to cure usually involves antibiotics.
H
Hepatitis A
A liver illness that normally lasts 1-3 weeks and can be spread through contact or during anal intercourse with an infected person. Vaccination for Hepatitis A is available.
H
Hepatitis B
A liver infection that can be spread by blood-to-blood and sexual contact. Often no symptoms appear however can include jaundice, fatigue and nausea. Vaccination for Hepatitis B is available.
H
Hepatitis C
A liver illness that can be spread by blood-to-blood contact. Similar to Hepatitis B, there are often no symptoms. No vaccine is available for Hepatitis C.
H
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. HIV can be transmitted by bodily fluids such as blood and semen during sex. There is currently no cure or vaccine for HIV.
H
HIV negative (AKA seronegative)
Someone who does not have HIV.
H
HIV positive (AKA seropositive)
Someone who is living with HIV.
H
HIV test
Blood test commonly used during sexual health check-ups to detect antibodies to HIV. It is also called a HIV antibody test. See also rapid HIV test.
H
Homophobia / transphobia
Dislike or prejudice against people who identify as homosexual or transgender.
H
HPV (genital warts)
Human Papillomavirus is a common STI that can cause genital warts and a range of cancers. It is spread during sexual contact and presents no symptoms. Vaccination for HPV is available.
I
Intersex
An umbrella term used to describe people born with sex characteristics (ie genitals, gonads and chromosome patterns) that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies.
L
Lesbian
A woman who identifies as homosexual, being sexually attracted to women.
M
MSM
Men who have sex with men.
O
On-demand PrEP
A method for taking PrEP that involves less pills at specific times. When done right, on-demand PrEP dosing is just as effective as daily dosing.
O
Opportunistic infection
A type of infection that occurs in people with a weakened immune system. People living with HIV are at greater risk of acquiring these.
P
PEP
Post-exposure prophylaxis is treatment taken by an HIV negative person after an event of potential HIV risk in order to prevent HIV infection.
P
Periodic PrEP
A method for taking PrEP that involves taking pills on a daily basis over a set period of time.
P
PrEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis is a strategy whereby an HIV negative person takes HIV drugs in order to prevent acquiring HIV.
P
Precum
Precum, also known as pre-ejaculate, is a clear viscous fluid discharged from the urethra (or the tip of the penis) during sexual arousal and prior to ejaculation.
P
PLHIV
People living with HIV.
P
Pubic lice (crabs)
Tiny insects that live in coarse body hair such as pubic hair, armpits and facial hair. They are typically transmitted through sexual contact and cause itching and open sores. Treatment involves a cream/lotion.
R
Rapid HIV test
A blood test that requires a small amount of blood such as a finger prick to detect antibodies of HIV. Results can usually be provided within 30 minutes. See also HIV test.
S
Seroconversion
The time period after infection where HIV develops and becomes detectable in the blood.
S
Seroconcordant relationship
A relationship where both individuals have the same HIV status ie both HIV positive or both HIV negative.
S
Serodiscordant relationship
A relationship where one individual has HIV and the other does not.
S
Sero-nonconcordant relationship
A relationship where one partner is HIV positive and the other is on unknown or uncertain HIV status.
S
Serostatus
The state of either having or not having detectable antibodies against a specific antigen, as measured by a blood test. In regards to HIV, one's serostatus simply means their HIV status ie HIV positive or HIV negative.
S
STI (AKA STD)
Sexually transmitted infection, or also known as sexually transmitted disease (STD). HIV, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis are common STIs.
S
Stigma
Negative and often unfair beliefs and attitudes that a society or group of people have towards something.
S
Syphilis
A bacterial STI that can normally presents itself as an ulcer or sores around the genitals or anus. It is transmitted primarily by sexual contact such as oral, anal sex or kissing. Treatment to cure involves antibiotics.
T
TasP
Treatment as Prevention is the practice of using HIV treatment, namely the concept of undetectable viral load (see UVL), as a means of preventing HIV transmission.
T
T-helper cells
AKA T-cells, CD4 cells. The body's white blood cells that help fend off infections. In regards to HIV, these are targeted and destroyed by the virus, subsequently weakening the immune system.
T
Transgender, trans and gender diverse
Three umbrella terms to describe people whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans people may be male or female, or identify as non-binary, a different gender or no gender at all.
T
Transmission
The action or process by which something is transmitted. In regards to HIV, this refers to the method HIV is passed on to a person.
T
Truvada
A brand name consisting of a combination of two drugs, commonly used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (see also PrEP) as well as for treatment of HIV (see also ART).
U
UVL
Undetectable viral load. When someone living with HIV takes treatment they can lower their viral load to be 'undetectable'. This provides health benefits for the individual as well as prevents onwards transmission.
V
Viral load
A term used to describe the amount of HIV in someone's blood. The higher the viral load, the more HIV present.
V
Viral suppression
When HIV treatment reduces a person's viral load to an undetectable level. See also UVL.
W
WAD
World AIDS Day (December 1st).
W
Window period
The time between potential exposure to HIV infection and the point when HIV can be detected by HIV tests.