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Alpha interferon – a man-made copy of a type of protein involved in the body’s fight against viral infections.


Androgens – steroid hormones with specific effects on tissue growth (muscle, fat, skin, hair and others) and brain function.


Antibodies – proteins produced by the body in response to an infection.


Aortic aneurysm – a swelling in the aorta, the main artery leading from the left side of the heart.


Aseptic meningitis – a form of meningitis often caused by a virus.


Asymptomatic – when a person is infected with a disease but shows no symptoms.


Azoospermia – the absence of spermatozoa in the semen or failure of formation of spermatozoa.


AZT – azidothymidine, a drug used to slow the replication of the HIV virus.

Beta-haemolytic streptococcal infection – a bacterial infection with a strain of streptococcus that can destroy red blood cells.


Bilateral tube occlusion – blockage in both fallopian tubes (the tubes that transport the eggs of the female from the ovaries to the uterus).


Bladder – the hollow sac within the body that stores urine until it can be expelled.


Broad-spectrum antibiotic – an antibiotic that is effective against a wide range of bacteria.

Candidiasis – an infection caused by a fungus of the genus Candida. It most commonly involves the skin (dermatocandidiasis), oral mucous membranes (oral candidiasis), respiratory tract (bronchocandidiasis) and vagina (vaginal candidiasis or thrush).


CD4 count – the number of CD4 cells found within the body. CD4 cells are part of the body’s immune response to an infection.


Central nervous system – the part of the body’s nervous system that includes the brain and the spinal cord.


Cervical smear – an internal examination which involves removing some of the cells from the cervix for testing for abnormalities.


Cervix – the neck of the womb in a female.


Chlamydial proctitis – inflammation of the rectum due to a chlamydia infection.


Chromosome – a thread-like structure in cells of plants and animals in which the DNA is organised and packaged.


Cirrhosis – a form of liver disease.


Cognitive function – higher mental function, involving thinking, knowing, learning or judging.


Colposcopy – an internal test, similar to a cervical smear, where a magnifying device is used to look at the surface of the cervix in closer detail.


Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) – works on behalf of the Health Protection Agency to provide information and support relating to control, surveillance and advice on infectious diseases.


Congenital – symptoms present from birth.


Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC) – a consultant specialising in the control of communicable diseases. Each local area should have a specific CCDC.


Cryptosporidiosis – an opportunistic infection caused by the intestinal parasite Cryptosporidium parvum, a very common parasite in animals. Transmission occurs through ingestion of food or water contaminated with animal faeces. The parasite grows in the intestines and bile ducts and causes severe, chronic diarrhoea, especially in people with AIDS.

Ectopic pregnancy – a pregnancy in which the foetus develops outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes.


Encephalitis – inflammation of the brain.


Epididymis – the convoluted tubule that connects the vas efferens with the vas deferens. Maturation and storage of sperm occur in the epididymis.


Epididymitis – inflammation and infection of the epididymis.

Genito-urinary medicine (GUM) – the specialty of medicine concerned with diseases of the genitals and urinary system.


Glans – the head of the penis.


Glomerulonephritis – inflammation in the tubes of the kidney.

Jaundice – a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, often caused by liver problems.

Lamivudine – an antiviral drug used to prevent the spread of HIV.


Lipodystrophy – a syndrome characterised by the redistribution of fat in the body that is probably caused by antiretroviral therapy.


Lymph nodes – small lumps located throughout the body that filter out unwanted particles.

Morbidity – illness or disease.

Nonoxynol-9 – a chemical used as a spermicide in some makes of condoms.


Nucleoside analogues – type of HIV therapy which works to prevent the spread of the virus.

Parenteral – entry into the body via the intravenous or intramuscular routes.


Perihepatitis – inflammation or infection of the membrane surrounding the liver. Often caused by chlamydia or gonorrhoea.


Perineal skin – in a female it is the area between the vulva and the anus, in males it is the area between the scrotum and the anus.


Pharyngeal – relating to the pharynx (the cavity at the back of the mouth which leads to the oesophagus).


Pneumonia – infection of the lungs.


Polycystic ovary syndrome – a condition in which cysts on the ovaries, along with a hormonal imbalance, causes ovulation to be irregular or to stop all together.


Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) – organisations responsible for the healthcare of a local area. Primary care is the treatment you first receive when you have a health problem, such as from a GP or a dentist.


Proctitis – inflammation of the rectum.


Protease inhibitors – type of HIV therapy which works to prevent the spread of the virus.


Pyelonephritis – inflammation of the kidney.

Sepsis – the presence of organisms in the blood.


Spirochete – a spiral-shaped form of bacterium.


Strategic Health Authorities – these groups manage the local NHS and are a key link between the NHS and the Department of Health.


Syphilitic meningitis – inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord as a result of syphilitic infection.

Teratogenic – a chemical or drug that can cause major defects in a developing foetus.


Thrush – a fungal infection caused by the organism Candida albicans.


Tubo-ovarian abscess – an abscess involving one of the fallopian tubes and the adjacent ovary.


Turner’s syndrome – a rare genetic disorder in women, which is characterised by the absence of an X chromosome. This disorder inhibits normal sexual development and causes infertility.

Urethra – the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body.


Urinary catheter – a tube inserted into the bladder to remove urine.


Uterus – the hollow organ of a female in which a foetus can grow and develop.