Safe injecting
The practice of injecting drugs in a clean hygienic way.
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Safe sex
Sexual contact when there is no or minimal risk of catching or passing on sexually transmissible infections.
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Same-sex attraction
A term used to describe the state of being gay, lesbian, bisexual or attracted to someone of the same sex.
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Scabies
An infection caused by a type of tiny insect which can be spread by skin-to-skin contact or by sharing bedding, clothes or other personal items. Causes itching, especially at night and after hot showers.
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Scarification
To cut the skin to deliberately cause scarring.
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Section 100 drugs
S100 drugs are specialised medications and include those used to treat HIV, HBV and HCV. There are strict rules on their use and only specially trained or licensed doctors can prescribe them.
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Self-care
Personal health maintenance. Taking action to stay healthy and prevent illness.
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Semen
The fluid which is ejaculated by a man's penis, containing sperm.
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Seroconversion
A test for a specified virus changes from negative to positive following recent infection. Can be associated with symptoms, i.e. seroconversion illness in HIV infection.
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Serodiscordant
A couple where one partner has a BBV and the other partner is not infected.
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Serology
Blood tests - identifying antibodies or antigens in the blood to make a diagnosis.
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Sex
Refers to a person's status as either male or female, and relates to the physical biology of a person's body (e.g. having a penis or a vagina). This is not the same as gender.
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Sex toys
An object or device used to facilitate sexual pleasure.
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Sex work
The exchange of sexual services for money or goods.
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Sex Worker
An individual whose job is to exchange sexual services for money or goods.
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Sexual debut
Having sexual intercourse for the first time.
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Sexual health
Women's and men's ability to enjoy and express their sexuality free from risk of sexually transmissible infections, unwanted pregnancy, violence and/or discrimination.
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Sexual intercourse
See penetration.
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Sexual orientation
Related to which gender you identify with.
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Sexuality
A personal characteristic combining a complex interaction of sexual attraction, expression (action) and identity.
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Sexually adventurous
Persons open to sexual experimentation.
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Sharps container
A container designed for safe disposal of used needles and syringes or any sharp object that has come into contact with blood or body fluids.
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Side effect
The unwanted effects of a drug.
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Sign
Something you can see or measure as an indicator of illness, e.g. rash, lesion.
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Spermicides
A substance that kills sperm but will NOT kill infection or a virus.
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Sputum
The thick mucus secretion 'coughed up' from the airways or lungs.
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SSAY (Same-sex attracted youth)
People who are physically, emotionally and sexually attracted to other people of the same sex.
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Standard precautions
The minimum standards required to prevent the spread of infection, e.g. washing hands, wearing gloves to avoid contact with blood or other body fluids. Used in hospitals and encouraged in the community.
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Sterilisation (fertility)
A surgical procedure to prevent pregnancy.
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Sterilisation (instruments)
Instruments that have been treated to kill all bacteria and viruses
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STI (Sexually transmissible infection)
A disease which can be passed on from one person to another during sexual contact.
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Stigma
Severe social disapproval of personal characteristics or beliefs that are against cultural norms.
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Subcutaneous injection
An injection into the fat lying under the skin. Usually given in the abdomen (stomach area) or in the upper part of the leg (thigh).
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Superinfection
An infection occurring in someone already infected with a different organism, e.g. infection with HBV occurring in someone already infected with HIV.
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Surgeon
A doctor who specialises in the treatment of illness through operations (surgery).
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SVR (Sustained virological response)
Negative HCV PCR test 6 months after completing treatment for hepatitis C. Highly likely to represent viral clearance.
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Swab
Usually a small piece of paper or material used to clean the skin prior to injection. Or a device used to take a sample of fluid for diagnostic testing consisting of cotton or other material on the tip of a length of wood or plastic.
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Symptom
Something a person experiences that may indicate illness, e.g. nausea, burning sensation when passing urine.
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Syphilis
A treatable bacterial STI with 3 stages of infection. The first stage is shown by a painless sore. If not treated, syphilis can progress and affect the brain. No vaccination is available.
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