Glossary
A glossary of terms you might need when discussing sexually transmitted diseases
Acute
An acute condition is usually either severe or short in duration.
An acute condition is usually either severe or short in duration.
Adjuvant
Adjuvants are important components of vaccines. They are needed to stimulate the immune response against the pathogen of interest.
Adjuvants are important components of vaccines. They are needed to stimulate the immune response against the pathogen of interest.
Anoscopy
Anoscopy is a procedure used in the diagnosis of rectal or anal cancers as well as hemorrhoids and other benign conditions.
Anoscopy is a procedure used in the diagnosis of rectal or anal cancers as well as hemorrhoids and other benign conditions.
Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are bacteria that have evolved with the ability to resist treatment by certain classes of antibiotics.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are bacteria that have evolved with the ability to resist treatment by certain classes of antibiotics.
Antibodies - Acquired Immunity
Antibodies are components of the humoral, or acquired, immune system.
Antibodies are components of the humoral, or acquired, immune system.
ATP - Biological Energy Currency
ATP is the energy currency of the cell.
ATP is the energy currency of the cell.
Bacteria - Microorganisms
Bacteria are single celled microorganisms that can either live on their own or in a host organism.
Bacteria are single celled microorganisms that can either live on their own or in a host organism.
Bareback Porn
Bareback porn is a style of adult film in which actors do not use condoms.
Bareback porn is a style of adult film in which actors do not use condoms.
Biomarkers
Biomarkers are measurable biological quantities associated with events or conditions.
Biomarkers are measurable biological quantities associated with events or conditions.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a medical procedure used in the diagnosis of disease.
A biopsy is a medical procedure used in the diagnosis of disease.
Bubo
A bubo is a swollen lymph node
A bubo is a swollen lymph node
Case Control Study
A case control study is a form of observational study where people with a condition are compared to those without it.
A case control study is a form of observational study where people with a condition are compared to those without it.
Chancre
Warning: Photos May Offend Some Viewers
Warning: Photos May Offend Some Viewers
Chronic
Chronic diseases are diseases that last for an extended period of time.
Chronic diseases are diseases that last for an extended period of time.
Cohort Study
A cohort study is a study that follows a group of people over time.
A cohort study is a study that follows a group of people over time.
Colposcopy
Colposcopy is a type of medical procedure used in the detection of cervical cancer.
Colposcopy is a type of medical procedure used in the detection of cervical cancer.
Commercial Sex Worker - CSW
A commercial sex worker is an individual who exchanges sex for money or other valuable goods, such as drugs.
A commercial sex worker is an individual who exchanges sex for money or other valuable goods, such as drugs.
Congenital
A congenital condition is one that you are born with.
A congenital condition is one that you are born with.
Cunnilingus
Cunnilingus is oral sex performed on a woman.
Cunnilingus is oral sex performed on a woman.
Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes - Cellular Immunity
Cytotoxic t lymphocytes are an important component of cellular immunity. These t cells are responsible for hunting down other cells of the body that are infected by viruses and destroying them. That is why they are called "cytotoxic" - killers of cells. Many vaccines work, at least in part, by stimulating this type of t cell activation, or response. This type of response has been targeted by HIV …
Cytotoxic t lymphocytes are an important component of cellular immunity. These t cells are responsible for hunting down other cells of the body that are infected by viruses and destroying them. That is why they are called "cytotoxic" - killers of cells. Many vaccines work, at least in part, by stimulating this type of t cell activation, or response. This type of response has been targeted by HIV …
Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus.
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus.
Epididymis
The epididymis is the tube in the back of the testicles where sperm mature.
The epididymis is the tube in the back of the testicles where sperm mature.
Epididymitis
Epididymitis is an infection of the tube in the back of the testicles where sperm mature.
Epididymitis is an infection of the tube in the back of the testicles where sperm mature.
False Negative Test
A false negative test occurs when a test fails to detect an illness in a person who actually is sick.
A false negative test occurs when a test fails to detect an illness in a person who actually is sick.
False Positive Test
A false positive test occurs when a person tests positive for a disease that they do not have. They occur because no diagnostic test is perfect.
A false positive test occurs when a person tests positive for a disease that they do not have. They occur because no diagnostic test is perfect.
Fellatio
Fellatio is the technical term used for oral sex performed on a man.
Fellatio is the technical term used for oral sex performed on a man.
Finger Cot - Finger Condom
A finger cot is a condom for your finger.
A finger cot is a condom for your finger.
Fistula
Learn the definition of the medical term fistula.
Learn the definition of the medical term fistula.
Frottage
Frottage is the technical name for "dry humping."
Frottage is the technical name for "dry humping."
Genome
The genome is the genetic "dictionary" of an organism
The genome is the genetic "dictionary" of an organism
Gold Standard
The "gold standard" is a term often used whe talking about medical testing, including STD testing. What is the gold standard exactly? Find out here.
The "gold standard" is a term often used whe talking about medical testing, including STD testing. What is the gold standard exactly? Find out here.
Hand Job
A hand job is one way to masturbate a man.
A hand job is one way to masturbate a man.
Health Disparities
Health disparities usually occur not because of any innate difference between two groups, but because of differences in their ability to access health care and other healthy choices.
Health disparities usually occur not because of any innate difference between two groups, but because of differences in their ability to access health care and other healthy choices.
Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a condition where the blood does not clot properly.
Hemophilia is a condition where the blood does not clot properly.
HHS - The Department of Health and Human Services
HHS - The Department of Health and Human Services
HHS - The Department of Health and Human Services
In vitro
In vitro comes from the Latin term "in glass" and refers to scientific studies of biological factors outside of their normal milieu - in other words, in test tubes instead of people.
In vitro comes from the Latin term "in glass" and refers to scientific studies of biological factors outside of their normal milieu - in other words, in test tubes instead of people.
In vivo
In vitro comes from the Latin term "in life" and refers to scientific studies of biological factors inside the organisms where they are relevant. In other words, human or animal studies instead of test tube studies.
In vitro comes from the Latin term "in life" and refers to scientific studies of biological factors inside the organisms where they are relevant. In other words, human or animal studies instead of test tube studies.
Latent - A Hidden or Dormant Infection
Learn about the definition of latent.
Learn about the definition of latent.
Meta-Analysis
A meta-analysis is a type of study that uses statistical techniques to analyze the results of other studies that have been previously published. It is also known as a quantitative review.
A meta-analysis is a type of study that uses statistical techniques to analyze the results of other studies that have been previously published. It is also known as a quantitative review.
MSM
MSM - Men Who Have Sex With Men
MSM - Men Who Have Sex With Men
Mutual Masturbation
Mutual masturbation is a form of sexual activity where both partners use their hands to stimulate each other.
Mutual masturbation is a form of sexual activity where both partners use their hands to stimulate each other.
Negative Feedback Loop - Menstrual Cycle
Negative feedback loops are responsible for regulating the levels of many different types of hormones in the human body
Negative feedback loops are responsible for regulating the levels of many different types of hormones in the human body
Negative Predictive Value
The negative predictive value tells you how likely it is that you actually don't have the disease if you test negative.
The negative predictive value tells you how likely it is that you actually don't have the disease if you test negative.
Non-Specific Symptoms - What Disease Do I Have?
Non-specific symptoms are symptoms that could be caused by numerous diseases.
Non-specific symptoms are symptoms that could be caused by numerous diseases.
Observational Study
Observational studies are defined in contrast to experimental studies as a way to learn about diseases and other human conditions. An observational study may sometimes be the only way to study a condition if expermentation would be unethical or impractical.
Observational studies are defined in contrast to experimental studies as a way to learn about diseases and other human conditions. An observational study may sometimes be the only way to study a condition if expermentation would be unethical or impractical.
Oncogenic - Cancer Causing
An organism or substance that is capable of causing cancer is said to be oncogenic.
An organism or substance that is capable of causing cancer is said to be oncogenic.
Opt-In Testing
Opt-in testing is where the doctor asks if you wish to be tested for a disease.
Opt-in testing is where the doctor asks if you wish to be tested for a disease.
Opt-Out Testing
Opt-in testing is where the doctor asks if you wish to be tested for a disease.
Opt-in testing is where the doctor asks if you wish to be tested for a disease.
Pathogen
A pathogen is an organism that causes disease.
A pathogen is an organism that causes disease.
Peer Reviewed Literature
When looking for evidence of whether scientific claims made by products seem to be valid, the first place I check is the peer-reviewed literature.
When looking for evidence of whether scientific claims made by products seem to be valid, the first place I check is the peer-reviewed literature.
Positive Predictive Value
The positive predictive value tells you how likely it is that you actually have the disease if you test positive.
The positive predictive value tells you how likely it is that you actually have the disease if you test positive.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis - HIV Prevention
Although some gay men are using pre-exposure prophylaxis to protect themselves from HIV, it's efficacy has not yet been proven and it is no substitute for consistent condom use.
Although some gay men are using pre-exposure prophylaxis to protect themselves from HIV, it's efficacy has not yet been proven and it is no substitute for consistent condom use.
Prenatal Care
Prenatal care is an important component of pregnancy health.
Prenatal care is an important component of pregnancy health.
Prevalence
Prevalence is a term often used when discussing a disease. Learn the definition of the term prevalence.
Prevalence is a term often used when discussing a disease. Learn the definition of the term prevalence.
Prodrome
The period of nonspecific symptoms before a disease's real symptoms appear.
The period of nonspecific symptoms before a disease's real symptoms appear.
Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized controlled trial is often considered to be the gold standard of study design. Randomized trials are experimental studies, as opposed to observational studies, and have some great benefits when they can be ethically and practically used.
A randomized controlled trial is often considered to be the gold standard of study design. Randomized trials are experimental studies, as opposed to observational studies, and have some great benefits when they can be ethically and practically used.
Rimming
Rimming is the technical term for oral anal contact.
Rimming is the technical term for oral anal contact.
Self Efficacy
Self Efficacy is a person's level of belief in their ability to accomplish an action.
Self Efficacy is a person's level of belief in their ability to accomplish an action.
Sensitivity
The sensitivity of a test is how accurately it detects people who are positive for a disease.
The sensitivity of a test is how accurately it detects people who are positive for a disease.
Serial Monogamy
Serial monogamy is a type of relationship behavior that may put you at increased risk of STDs.
Serial monogamy is a type of relationship behavior that may put you at increased risk of STDs.
Serodiscordant Couple
The term serodiscordant couple is usually used to refer to a relationship where one partner is living with HIV and the other is not.
The term serodiscordant couple is usually used to refer to a relationship where one partner is living with HIV and the other is not.
Social Marketing
Social marketing is the use of marketing techniques to encourage behavior change.
Social marketing is the use of marketing techniques to encourage behavior change.
Socioeconomic Status (SES)
Socioeconomic status can often have profound effects on a person's health due to differences in ability to access health care as well as dietary and other lifestyle choices that are associated with both finances and education.
Socioeconomic status can often have profound effects on a person's health due to differences in ability to access health care as well as dietary and other lifestyle choices that are associated with both finances and education.
Specificity
The specificity of a test is how accurately it detects people who are negative for a disease. Learn more about diagnostic test specificity.
The specificity of a test is how accurately it detects people who are negative for a disease. Learn more about diagnostic test specificity.
Stillbirth - Pregnancy Loss
Stillbirth is a type of pregnancy loss.
Stillbirth is a type of pregnancy loss.
Syndromatic Treatment - STD Symptoms & Treatment
Syndromatic treatment refers to the practice of treating people for sexually transmitted diseases based on their symptoms. The problem is, however, that may stds don't have symptoms at all. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes are all frequently asymptomatic.
Syndromatic treatment refers to the practice of treating people for sexually transmitted diseases based on their symptoms. The problem is, however, that may stds don't have symptoms at all. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes are all frequently asymptomatic.
Tribadism
Tribadism is a type of dry humping where a woman rubs her genitals against her partner.
Tribadism is a type of dry humping where a woman rubs her genitals against her partner.
Vaginal Flora
The vaginal flora are the bacteria that live inside the vagina.
The vaginal flora are the bacteria that live inside the vagina.
Vertical Transmission
Vertical Transmission
Vertical Transmission
Viral Load
Viral load is a measure of how much virus there is in a person's blood. It is one way to determine the status of an individual's disease.
Viral load is a measure of how much virus there is in a person's blood. It is one way to determine the status of an individual's disease.
Virus - microorganism
A virus is a microorganism that cannot grow or reproduce on its own. It uses the cellular machinery of the organism it is infecting to make copies of itself.
A virus is a microorganism that cannot grow or reproduce on its own. It uses the cellular machinery of the organism it is infecting to make copies of itself.
Virus Like Particle (VLP)
If you've been reading about the HPV vaccine, you may have stumbled across the term [i]virus like particle[/i] or VLP. What is a virus like particle? Can a VLP give you a disease? Find out here.
If you've been reading about the HPV vaccine, you may have stumbled across the term [i]virus like particle[/i] or VLP. What is a virus like particle? Can a VLP give you a disease? Find out here.
WSW - Women Who Have Sex With Women
WSW is an acronym used by scientists to mean women who have sex with women.
WSW is an acronym used by scientists to mean women who have sex with women.