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BBV-STI Glossary

The BBV/STI Multilingual Glossary is a resource for interpreters who work in health settings. It offers an extensive list of English terms related to sexual health and blood-borne viruses (such as hepatitis) translated into 10 languages, as well as definitions in simple English.

To search for the translation of an English term, first select a language from the list below, and click 'submit'. Then select a letter to view all terms beginning with that letter.

You can also download the glossary as a printed document. Click on the language name in the right-hand column to download a glossary.

Glossaries in Arabic, Chinese, French, Indonesian, Swahili, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese are available online and as print-friendly documents.

Glossaries in Amharic, Burmese, Hindi, Khmer and Tigrinya are only available as print-friendly documents. Click on the language name in the right-hand column to download a glossary. 

Send us your feedback on the glossary.

Register for our free workshop for interpreters on 8 December 2009.

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

Labia

The folds of tissue at the opening of the vagina.

Late diagnosis

Person is diagnosed when sick and in the late stages of infection or disease.

Lesbian

A word used to describe a woman who is sexually attracted to, or has sex with other women.

Lesion

A very general term meaning an abnormal change or injury to any tissue or organ in the body.

LFTs (Liver Function Tests)

A set of blood tests that evaluate the functions of the liver.

Libido

Sexual urge or desire. Illness, medications, depression or stress can lower libido, thus lowering desire for sex.

Lipoatrophy

An abnormal body shape caused by redistribution of body fat. A side effect of some ART drugs used for HIV treatment.

Liver biopsy

A medical procedure that involves removing a very small sample of the liver by inserting a needle into the abdomen. The liver tissue can then be examined under a microscope.

Living positively

Coping well with HIV or other serious illness, by having a positive attitude, knowing about the disease and its treatment and looking after one's health. If HIV-positive or HCV-positive, protecting self and others from infection. Being able to disclose to others, to give and receive psychosocial support.

Lubricant

A slippery water-based liquid (jelly) that increases the 'wetness' within the vagina or anus.

Lymph node

A small rounded mass of tissue containing lymphocytes which help fight infection. Can enlarge or become swollen and be felt as a 'lump' during various illnesses including infections and cancer.

Lymphadenopathy

Swelling of the lymph nodes in response to disease

Lymphocyte

A type of white blood cell that helps fight infection. The CD4 (T4 or T-helper cells) affected in HIV are a type of lymphocyte.

Printed glossaries

Download print-friendly versions of the glossary:

Amharic   |   Arabic 
Burmese   |   Chinese 
French   |   Hindi 
Indonesian   |   Khmer 
Korean   |   Somali 
Swahili   |   Thai 
Tigrinya   |   Turkish 
Vietnamese  

Doctor and interpreter  

feedback?

Click here to send us your feedback on the BBV/STI Glossary.

 

The BBV/STI Multilingual Glossary is a joint project of the following individuals and agencies:
Suzanne Lau-Gooey
Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT)
Multicultural Health & Support Service
Hepatitis C Victoria, St Vincent's Health
HIV CALD Service - Alfred Health
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society
Melbourne Health
Resourcing Health and Education in the Sex Industry (RhED)
Funding provided by the Department of Human Services, Victoria.