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Jargon Buster
- Antiretrovirals
- Drugs which treat retroviruses such as HIV by slowing down the growth of the virus. There are different types of drugs which work to inhibit the virus at different stages of its life cycle. When several drugs are taken in combination, the treatment is known as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy or HAART. Synonyms: antiretroviral
- CD4 Count
- CD4 T-Cells are a type of white blood cell, and they play an important role in the human immune system. HIV destroys these cells, and a person's CD4 count is lowered. A CD4 count is an indicator of the health of patients’ immune systems and thus their risk of developing opportunistic infection. A normal CD4 count is between 1500 and 500. Test results from a CD4 count can also be used to judge when antiretroviral therapy should begin.
- Chlamydia
- A common sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria. The bacteria live in the urethra in men or in the vagina in women, as well as in the throat or rectum Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and can be passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth.
- Clinic in a box
- Mobile clinics run by nurses, providing contraceptive, sexual and general health services in community settings.
- Contraception
- Drugs, devices or surgical procedures which prevent pregnancy.
- Cytology screening
- A method of testing for cervical cancer.
- Department of Health
- The Department of Health (DH) is responsible for government policy on health, social care and the NHS in England. Synonyms: DH
- Emergency Contraception
- A type of contraceptive - most commonly a pill known as the "morning after pill" — which can prevent pregnancy when used after sex.
- Expert Patient Group
- A support group for people living with long term conditions, their carers and families. It enables people to self-manage their conditions, through developing their skills as 'expert patients'.
- Five Year Plan
- A document produced by each Primary Care Trust in England. It sets out their vision for local healthcare in the next five years, and details what services will be commissioned and what targets need to improve the standard of health in the community. This plan is revised annually, and should be available to download from each PCT's website. This document may also be called a 'Strategic Plan'. Synonyms: 5 Year Plan
- Genital Herpes
- A common sexually transmitted infection caused by a virus called the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). This virus is similar to the one that causes cold sores around the mouth. Most people who have HSV do not have any symptoms, or do not recognise the symptoms because they are so mild. Therefore many people who have HSV do not know that they have it. Synonyms: Herpes
- Genital Warts
- Small fleshy lumps that can appear around a man’s penis and testicles, a woman’s vagina or around the anus. Genital warts are caused by a virus called human papilloma virus (HPV) and can be transmitted through unprotected sex.
- Gonorrhoea
- A sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria that live in the urethra in men or in the vagina in women, as well as in the throat or the anus and rectum.
- GUM Clinics
- Genito Urinary Medicine Clinics are sexual health centres providing information, testing, contraception and treatment.
- Hepatitis B
- A virus which infects the liver and causes inflamation. Heptatits B can be passed on very easily through unprotected sex.
- High Quality Care for All
- A 2007 report by Lord Darzi, the Health Minister at the time. The report is a review of the healthcare system, which sets out a strategy for the future of healthcare.
- HIV
- HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV infects and gradually destroys an infected person's immune system, reducing their protection against infection and cancers. Synonyms: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- HPV Vaccination
- The Human Papilloma Virus vaccination prevents infection with certain strains of human papillomavirus associated with the development of vervical cancer and genital warts, as well as some less common cancers.
- LARC
- Long Acting Reversible Contraception methods are birth control methods — usually an implant or an injection - that provide effective contraception for an extended period of time without requiring user action. Synonyms: Long Acting Reversible Contraception
- LGBT
- LGBT is a collective term referring to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people.
- Local Area Agreements
- Synonyms: LAA, LAAs, Local Area Agreement
- Local Councilor
- Local Councilors are elected by the community as representatives of the population. They are responsible for making decisions on behalf of the community about local services.
- Local Indicators
- A local indicator is a priority decided by a local authority, as opposed to a national indicator which is determined by central government. Local indicators are based on the specific issues and needs of a community. Synonyms: Local Indicator
- Local Involvement Networks
- Local Involvement Networks are run by local individuals and groups in each community. They aim to give citizens a stronger voice in how their health and social care services are delivered. Synonyms: Local Involvement Network
- MP
- A Member of Parliament represents their constituency in the House of Commons. They are democratically elected, and typically serve a term of four or five years. They act as legislators and represent the interests of their constituents.
- National Chlamydia Screening Programme
- A programme designed to control and prevent Chlaymdia in young people aged 15 to 25. Synonyms: NCSP
- National Indicators
- National Indicators are a set of national priorities published by the government. Each Local Authority can pick relevant indicators from the list of 198, depending on the needs of a community. These indicators will be what the Local Authority focus on and will define their targets and where their money is spent. They can also write their own indicators based on local needs. These are called 'Local Indicators'. Synonyms: National Indicator
- PCT
- Primary Care Trusts are a group of free-standing organisations within the NHS. They have responsibility for the healthcare needs of each community. The Department of Health assigns each PCT a budget. This money is used to commission and provide primary care, community services and hospital services. There are 152 PCTs in England, and each is answerable to their local Strategic Health Authority. Synonyms: PCT, PCTs, Primary Care Trust
- SRE
- Sex and Relationships education is a non-compulsary part of the UK school curriculum. It focuses on human reproduction and puberty, and can also include information about contraception and safe sex.
- STI
- Sexually Transmitted Infections are viruses, bacteria and parasites which can be transmitted through sexual contact. Synonyms: STIs
- Strategic Health Authority (SHA)
- Strategic Health Authorities are part of the structure of the NHS. There are ten SHAs in England. They are responsible for putting Department of Health policy into practice, and supervising NHS Trusts in their area. Synonyms: SHA, SHAs, Strategic Health Authorities
- Strategic Plans
- A Strategic Plan is a document produced by each PCT. It sets out their vision for local healthcare in the next five years, and details what services will be commissioned and what targets need to improve the standard of health in the community. This plan is revised annually, and should be available to download from each PCT's website. This document may also be called a 'Five Year Plan'. Synonyms: Strategic Plan
- Syphilis
- Syphilis is an infection caused by bacteria. It is most easily passed on through penetrative vaginal and anal sex without a condom.
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