Learn It Live It :: Definitions

Here are some common words and their definitions.

What does it mean?

Abstinence

Choosing not to have sex (vaginal, oral, anal) with a partner for a period of time or for life. Abstinence is the only 100% secure way to not get infected with HIV or STD, as well as to prevent pregnancy.

AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, caused by HIV

"Full Blown AIDS" usually occurs on average about 10 years after the initial contraction of HIV. AIDS is typically diagnosed when the person has three or more diseases/infections (such as a bladder infection, cancer, and pneumonia) and an extremely low count of CD4+ T-cells (white blood cells part of your immune system) Once the person has AIDS he or she has up to 4 years to live before death.

Anal Sex

Penis going into the anus; protection needs to be used to avoid HIV or STDs infections.

Antibodies

proteins in the blood that attack bacteria, viruses, and parasites that enter the body. They help to make up your immune system

Bisexual

men attracted to both men and women or women attracted to both men and women.

CD4+ T-cells

"Helper" cells in the immune system that lead the attack against infection. It is said that a person is infected with AIDS when the count or amount of CD4+ cells is below 200. This means that there are too few cells to fight infections and you get sick with diseases which you usually wouldn't.

Ectopic Pregnancy

The egg starts to develop in the fallopian tubes. Removal is necessary because it can kill the mother

Epidemic

Spreading rapidly and extensively by infection and affecting many individuals in an area or a population at the same time: an epidemic outbreak influenza (the flu) See Pandemic

ELISA test:

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This test detects antibodies for HIV by looking at blood

Heterosexual

men attracted to women; women attracted to men

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the virus that causes AIDS

Homosexual

women attracted to women; men attracted to men

Immune system

the system that protects the body from infections, sickness, and diseases

Infect

to attack or contaminate with a disease

Myths

something that is commonly believed but is not true

Opportunistic infections

Infections that you are more susceptible (at risk/ prone) to get when you have HIV/AIDS. There are some types of diseases/infections that are more common in people with HIV. For a list of these infections go to: http://www.aegis.com/topics/oi/

Oral Sex

stimulation of penis or vagina with the mouth

ORAQUICK

This test works by drawing a drop of blood from your finger and you receive the results in 20 minutes. If the results are positive, a Western Blot Test needs to be performed just to make sure the results are correct.

ORASURE

This test collects samples of your cheek tissue called oral mucosal transudate (OMT), which is not saliva. The sample is sent to a laboratory where the ELISA and, if necessary, the Western Blot Test are performed. This test cannot be used at home and is only for persons older than 13.

Pandemic

Widespread; general. Usually referring to an epidemic over a wide geographic area and affecting a large proportion of the population.

Example: AIDS/HIV because it is a disease spreading worldwide

Pre-ejaculatory fluids

fluids that come out of a guy's penis before he 'cums'

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

A progressive (meaning it becomes worse over time) infection of the fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, or ovaries.

Risk behaviors

behaviors that put you at risk of being infected with HIV

Semen

thick white fluid containing sperm that is ejaculated through the penis

Serial Monogamy

When you only have one steady sex partner at a time, but you have a lot of partners throughout your life

Shoot up

inject drugs like cocaine/heroine into the body with a needle

Transmit

to cause to spread; pass on: transmit an infection

Example: HIV can transmitted from person to person by unprotected sex or sharing needles

Trend

a pattern followed by a population.

Vaginal / cervical fluids

moistness and lubrication in the vagina

Vaginal Sex

penis going into the vagina

Virus

something that causes diseases

WESTERN BLOT TEST

After two or more ELISA tests have positive results, the Western Blot test is given to check that the results are correct. Results for this test are usually available in 2-4 weeks.