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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

Vaccine

A medication given to produce immunity against infection. Usually given by injection but some are given orally.

Vaginal fluid

The natural lubricant inside the vagina

Vaginitis

Inflammation of the vagina.

Vasectomy

Removal of or cutting of the tubes that carry semen and sperm so that when a man ejaculates he is unable to cause a pregnancy. A form of sterilization (contraception).

VCT (Voluntary Counselling and Testing)

A process where a patient is first counselled about the risks of a disease or infection. The client then agrees to have the test (informed consent). When the test result is given, the client is also counselled to help them cope with the test result.

Vertical Transmission

Transmission of an infection from an infected mother to her baby can occur during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. HIV, HBV, and some STIs such as Herpes, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Syphilis can be transmitted this way.

Viagra

A drug that causes increased erections in a man. Can have serious side effects in some men.

Viraemia

The presence of virus in the blood

Viral infections

Infections caused by a virus, a type of microscopic organism.

Viral load

The amount of virus (e.g. HIV, HBV or HCV) present in the blood of an infected person. Used to assess the disease and to monitor treatment.

Viral resistance

Reduced susceptibility of a virus to one or more medications used for treatment, occurring through specific mutations.

Virus

A type of microorganism (microbe, germ). HIV, and the hepatitis viruses, HSV, and influenza are all examples of viruses.

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.