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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.

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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

Abnormality

A finding that something (a test, a sign or symptom) is not within the normal range.

Abortion

A procedure to end a pregnancy.

Abstinence

To stop or avoid - voluntary restraint from an activity, e.g. sex, alcohol or drugs.

Acute infection

Recent or early infection, as opposed to chronic (long-term) infection.

Adolescence

A stage of change and development in a young person's life, which occurs between the onset of puberty and adulthood. Sometimes called 'teenage years'.

AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein)

Elevated levels in the blood can indicate cirrhosis or liver cancer (HCC). Used for screening for HCC.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

The last stage of HIV infection, when a group of illnesses occur because HIV has severely weakened the immune system.

Alcohol dependence

The state of depending on or needing alcohol to avoid symptoms of withdrawal.

ALT (Alanine aminotransferase)

An enzyme produced by the liver that can indicate ongoing liver damage.

Amphetamine

An illegal stimulant drug.

Anaemia

A decrease in haemoglobin (in red blood cells) that can cause various symptoms including tiredness and breathlessness.

Anal sex

When a man puts his penis into his male or female partner's anus.

Analgesics

Medications that reduce pain, sometimes called 'pain killers'.

Anti-Hbe

Antibody to hepatitis B e antigen

Antibiotic

A drug used to treat bacterial infections, but is ineffective against viral infections.

Antibody

A special protein produced by the immune system, generally in response to infection or vaccination.

Antibody test

A blood test that indicates whether a person has been exposed to a particular antigen, for example through infection.

Antibody to Hepatitis C

A positive hepatitis C antibody test means that the person has been infected with hepatitis C. Approximately 1 in 4 people with a positive hepatitis C antibody test will not be chronically infected, i.e. they have naturally cleared the virus. This can only be determined with a PCR test.

Antibody to HIV

A positive HIV antibody test means that a person has HIV infection.

Antigen

A substance (usually protein) recognised by the immune system as foreign (typically an infection e.g. virus or bacteria) which stimulates the immune system to make antibodies.

Antiretroviral drug

Drugs used to treat HIV and prevent AIDS.

Antiviral therapy

Drugs used to treat viral infections e.g. herpes, HIV, viral hepatitis.

ART (Antiretroviral Therapy)

A class of antiviral drugs used to treat HIV and prevent AIDS.

Ascites

A complication of advanced liver disease (including disease related to viral hepatitis) where fluid collects in the abdomen (stomach area).

Asymptomatic

When a person has no signs or symptoms of a particular disease or infection they have, but may not be aware of.

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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.

Multicultural Health & Support Service