STD Testing Info

What is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and how is it spread?

HIV is the virus that causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). You can become infected with HIV by the exchange of blood, semen and vaginal secretions with a person infected with the virus, such as by having sex or sharing needles. Pregnant women infected with HIV can also pass the virus to their babies at birth or shortly after through their breast milk. HIV attacks our body’s immune system so that we are less able to fight off germs and diseases.

What are the symptoms of HIV?

On the average, for the first 7 to 10 years of HIV infection, there are no symptoms. When symptoms first appear, they will vary from person-to-person. Some of the symptoms that many people experience in early HIV disease are: night sweats, fever, extreme unexplained weight loss, persistent diarrhea, fatigue (tiredness), nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph glands, headaches, and persistent dry cough. The last stage of HIV disease is AIDS, in which many life-threatening infections can cause serious disability and/or death. There is no cure for HIV infection.

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

HIV may cause symptoms any time from the time of infection up to 10 years later or even longer. This will vary from person to person. Many people confuse the length of time HIV takes before causing symptoms with the length of time it takes for the HIV antibody test to become positive which is 3-6 months after exposure.

How long can an infected person carry the virus?

A person infected with the virus will carry it in varying amounts in the body for the rest of his/her life.

How do you test for HIV?

The test for HIV is a blood test which determines if the body has had an immune response to the virus. It takes a while for the body to produce such a response. Three months after infection, the test is 90% accurate. After 6 months, the test is 95% accurate. If you feel that you have been exposed to the virus, you may consider getting an HIV test after 3 months. For peace of mind, you could have another test done in another 3 months. If you are constantly putting yourself at risk, having a test done every 6 months is recommended.

How is HIV infection treated?

Quite often no treatment is needed in the early stages. However, there are now a number of drugs used to slow down the disease. When a person has AIDS, there are many drugs used to treat the various diseases that can invade the body. A person with HIV infection should talk to a doctor or other health care provider about treatment options.

How can HIV infection be prevented?

Since the virus is passed ONLY through four body fluids, the best way to prevent HIV infection is to not come in contact with the blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk of an infected person. Abstinence (not having sex, not sharing needles) is the only 100% sure way to prevent infection. There is no vaccine to prevent HIV. If abstinence is not practiced, monogamy with a person who does not have HIV infection is the best way to avoid becoming infected. Monogamy means having a long term, faithful sexual relationship with one partner who is also faithful to you. After these two ways, safer sex is best. Safer sex means using a condom for anal, oral, or vaginal sex. If you share needles (for drugs, steroids, tattoos, or body piercing), clean your needles. If you are infected, notify your sex partners and needle sharing partners immediately so they can be tested.

Download a PDF of this fact sheet

¿Qué es el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y cómo es transmite?

El VIH es el virus que causa el síndrome de la inmunodeficiencia adquirida (SIDA).  Usted puede infectarse con el VIH por el intercambio de sangre, semen y secreciones vaginales con una persona infectada con el virus, por ejemplo al tener sexo ó compartir agujas de inyectar.  Las mujeres embarazadas infectadas con el VIH pueden también pasar el virus a sus bebés durante el parto ó por medio de la leche materna.  El VIH ataca el sistema inmune de nuestro cuerpo de modo que no podemos combatir los gérmenes y enfermedades.

¿Cuáles son los síntomas del VIH?

En promedio, por los primeros 7 a 10 años de la infección del HIV, no hay síntomas. Cuando los síntomas aparecen, varian de person a persona.  Algunos de los síntomas que muchas personas experimentan en la etapa temprana de la enfermedad por el VIH son: sudores nocturnos, fiebre, pérdida inexplicada y extrema de peso, diarrea persistente, fatiga (cansancio), náusea, vómito, glándulas de la linfa hinchadas, dolores de cabeza, y tos seca persistente.  La última etapa de la enfermedad del VIH es el SIDA, en la cual muchas infecciones peligrosas para la vida pueden causar serias dificultades y/o muerte.  No hay curación para la infección del VIH.

¿Que tan pronto después del contagio aparecen los síntomas?

El VIH puede causar síntomas en cualquier momento desde el momento de la infección hasta 10 años más tarde ó aún tiempo después.  Esto variará de persona a persona.  Mucha gente confunde el tiempo que el VIH lleva en causar síntomas con el tiempo que lleva para una prueba de anticuerpos el mostrar un resultado positivo de VIH el cual es de 3 a 6 meses después del contagio ó la exposición.

¿Por cuanto tiempo puede una persona infectada llevar el virus?

Una persona infectada con el virus lo llevará en el cuerpo para el resto de su vida.

¿Cómo se hace la prueba del VIH?

La prueba del VIH es un análisis de sangre que determina si el cuerpo ha tenido respuesta inmune al virus.  Toma cierto tiempo para que el cuerpo produzca tal respuesta.  Tres meses después de la infección, la prueba es 90% exacta.  Después de 6 meses, la prueba es 95% exacta.  Si usted siente que se ha expuesto al virus, usted debe considerar el hacerse una prueba del VIH después de 3 meses.  Para tranquilidad mental, usted podría hacerse otra prueba despues de otros 3 meses.  Si usted se está poniendo constantemente en riesgo, se le recomienda hacerse la prueba cada 6 meses.

¿Cómo se trata la infección del VIH?

A menudo, inicialmente no se necesita absolutamente ningún tratamiento.  Sin embargo, ahora hay un gran número de medicamentos usados para retrasar la enfermedad.  Cuando una persona tiene SIDA, hay muchas medicinas para usar y tratar varias de las enfermedades que pueden invadir el cuerpo.  Una persona con la infección del VIH debe hablar con el doctor sobre las opciones de tratamiento.

¿Cómo puede prevenirse la infección del VIH?

Puesto que el virus pasa SOLAMENTE a través de cuatro fluídos corporales, la mejor manera de prevenir la infección del HIV es no ponerse en contacto con sangre, semen, líquidos vaginales, ó leche materna de una persona infectada.  La abstinencia (no tener sexo, ni compartir agujas para inyectar) es la única manera 100% segura de prevenir la infección.  No hay vacuna para prevenir el VIH.  Si no se practica la abstinencia, monogamia con una persona que no tenga la infección VIH es la mejor manera de evitar infectarse.  Monogamia significa tener en forma fiel una sola pareja sexual por largo plazo, que también le es fiel a usted.  Ademas de estas dos maneras, el sexo protegido es lo mas seguro.  Un sexo protegido significa el uso del condon ó preservativo para el sexo anal, oral, ó vaginal.  Si usted comparte agujas (para drogas, esteroides, tatuajes, ó perforación del cuerpo), desinfectelas.  Si usted esta infectado, notifique a su pareja y a otras personas con las cuales comparte agujas inmediatamente para que así se puedan hacer la prueba.

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a disease caused by bacteria called Neiserria gonorrhoeae, the gonococcus. The bacteria that cause gonorrhea are found in the mucous areas of the body (the vagina, penis, throat and rectum) and in semen or vaginal fluids. It is one of the most commonly reported sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the United States.

Who gets gonorrhea?

Any person who has sex can be infected with gonorrhea. Most often, gonorrhea is found in younger people (ages 15-30) who have multiple sex partners. Gonorrhea is reported more frequently from urban areas than from rural areas.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

Most men infected with gonorrhea will have burning while urinating and a yellowish white discharge from the penis. Most women do not have symptoms. Those few women with symptoms will have a discharge from the vagina and possibly some burning while urinating. Women may also have abdominal pain or abnormal bleeding. Infections in the throat and rectum cause few symptoms.

How soon do symptoms appear?

Symptoms may be noticed 2 to 7 days after having sex with an infected person, but it can take as long as 30 days and often, there may be no symptoms, particularly in females.

How is gonorrhea diagnosed?

Gonorrhea is diagnosed through laboratory examination of penile or vaginal discharges to see if bacteria are present. Specimens from the throat may also be examined.

How is gonorrhea spread?

Gonorrhea is spread through sexual contact. This includes penis to vagina, penis to mouth, penis to rectum and mouth to vagina contact. Gonorrhea can also be spread from mother to child during birth.

What is the treatment for gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics in either injection (needle) or pill (by mouth) form. All strains of gonorrhea are curable, but this disease is becoming more and more resistant to many standard medications.

Download a PDF of this fact sheet

¿Qué es la gonorrea?

La gonorrea es una enfermedad causada por bacterias llamadas Neiserria gonorrhoeae (el gonococo). Las bacterias que causan gonorrea se encuentran en las áreas mucosas del cuerpo (la vagina, el pene, la garganta y el recto), en el semen y líquidos vaginales. Es una de las enfermedades transmitidas sexualmente (ETS), más comúnmente conocidas como STD (siglas es-ti-di en Ingles) en los Estados Unidos.

¿Quién contrae gonorrea?

Cualquier persona que tenga sexo puede infectarse con gonorrea.  Más a menudo, la gonorrea es encuentra en gente joven (edades entre 15-30 años), que tenga múltiples compañeros sexuales (promiscua).  La gonorrea es reportada con más frecuencia en áreas urbanas que en áreas rurales.

¿Cuáles son los síntomas de la gonorrea?

La mayoría de los hombres infectados con gonorrea sentirán como que les quema al orinar y una descarga blanco-amarillenta les saldra del pene. La mayoría de las mujeres no tienen síntomas.   Las pocas mujeres con síntomas tendrán una descarga de la vagina y posiblemente sentiran que les quema al orinar.   Las mujeres pueden también tener dolor abdominal ó sangrado anormal.  Las infecciones de garganta y recto causan pocos síntomas.

¿Qué tan pronto aparecen los síntomas?

Los síntomas se pueden notar 2 a 7 días después que tener sexo con la persona infectada, pero puede llevarse con frecuencia hasta 30 días, y puede no haber síntomas, especialmente en mujeres.

¿Cómo se diagnostica la gonorrea?

La gonorrea se diagnostica a través del examen de laboratorio de las descargas vaginales ó del pene para comprobar si las bacterias están presentes.  También pueden ser examinados los especímenes de la garganta.

¿Cómo se trasmite la gonorrea?

La gonorrea se trasmite a través de contacto sexual.  Esto incluye el pene en la vagina, la boca, ó el recto y contacto de la boca con la vagina.  La gonorrea puede ser también trasmitida de madre al niño durante el parto.

¿Cuál es el tratamiento para la gonorrea?

La gonorrea se trata con antibióticos inyectados (aguja) ó en píldora (via oral). Todas las formas de gonorrea son curables, pero la enfermedad se está volviendo más y más resistente a muchos medicamentos estándares.

¿Qué sucede si la gonorrea no es tratada?

Sin tratamiento, existe un buen porcentaje de desarrollar complicaciones.  La complicación mas frecuente en mujeres es la enfermedad pélvica inflamatoria  (EPI) también llamada PID (siglas pi-ai-di en Ingles), una condición dolorosa que ocurre cuando la infección se extiende a través de los órganos reproductivos.  La EPI puede causar incapacidad de embarazo en la mujere ó aumentar el riesgo de embarazo ectópico (fuera de lugar).  Los hombres pueden sufrir hinchazón de los testículos y pene.  Ambos sexos pueden sufrir artritis, problemas de la piel y otras infecciones de ciertos órganos causadas por la extensión del gonorrea dentro del cuerpo.

¿Cómo puede prevenirse la gonorrea?

No tener sexo es la única manera segura de evitar contraer la gonorrea ó cualquier otra ETS.  Si no, limitar el número de compañeros(as) sexuales reduce el riesgo de infectarse.  El uso de condones (profilácticos ó preservativos) con cada contacto sexual disminuirá considerablemente la posibilidad de infectarse.  Si usted piensa que le han infectado, evite cualquier nuevo contacto sexual hasta que vea un doctor, vaya a un hospital ó una clínica de STD (ETS).  Si tiene la infección, notifique a sus contactos sexuales inmediatamente para que también puedan ser examinados y tratados.

With the bolstering technological improvements and breakthrough, anything beyond your imagination becomes possible. Entering the outer space, getting through the ocean, searching volcanoes and mountains—are inexplicable wonders of human prowess. Same goes with the invention of machines, robots, androids, to name a few, all of them have replaced human intervention in labor-extensive works and have continuously altered human mind and power. All of these modern advancements prove that nothing is impossible; the wonders of science and technology that befall to man will incessantly sweep the grounds to reality.

Human cloning has been a catchphrase for years and aroused worldwide interest for its scientific and ethical implications. Imagine, if someone dearest to you died, you could just consult some scientists to clone that person and make him/her alive again. You could have also cloned yourself so that someone will do homework for you while you are enjoying a night out with friends. Renowned personalities like Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, and even Adolf Hitler could have been alive with the help of this technology. Historical people like Queen Nefertiti, Egyptian emperors, or Roman cavaliers could also be brought back to life with all of this wonderful human mind.
If cloning is meant to duplicate human or produce plants and animal; are you aware that the new trend today is the creation of dolls that might replaced men and women for sexual pleasure?

Realistic silicon love dolls have been gaining massive popularity and been invading the cyber space. Thousands of men are spending almost $6,500 or embezzling million dollars for silicone love doll. These dolls are doomed to feed men’s sexual desire and fantasies.

Real love dolls are manufactured and designed as a total replication of humans. You can choose from different body types, size of heads, skin tones, palette of make up, colors of hair, pubic hair style, areola color plus the shipping fee and you can have your own silicone dolls.

You can choose the breast size that you can massage. These dolls would be a more erotic and pleasurable companion in bed because they help you easily reach your orgasm anytime. These dolls can pose at different erotic angles and you’ll be assured that she will be loyal to you. She’ll never cheats, get pregnant, or passes on sexually transmitted disease. And most of all, she never says “no” when you want to have sex.

At any viewpoint you have and cast to these creation, adult love dolls manifest either the intimate or lustful necessities of men. These love doll for sex serve as the companion and relief for men until they reach their orgasm. They become a potential friend to those who are seeking momentary happiness and unexplainable sexual cravings.

Although it is spine-chilling to know that there are a lot of men who are indulged in having or having had sex to these dolls, we have to keep in mind that there are reasons why they are inclined to do it. We can’t find words or adjectives to describe these men—misogynist, pervert, rapist, loser, desperate—they tragically do!! Many of them are simply longing for companions or some are blatantly sexual monster!!!

By: Badeth Abonita

Early November marked the 10-year anniversary of Magic Johnson’s formal announcement that he had contracted HIV and would retire from the Los Angeles Lakers in the prime of his career. The announcment stunned the sports world.

In discussing how he got the virus, Johnson said, “Sometimes you are a little naive and think it can never happen to you. You think it can only happen to other people. Well here I am to say it can happen to anyone, even me, Magic Johnson.”

Since then, Johnson has participated in several programs to raise awareness of the disease in sports and society, but have his efforts made a difference?

While few statistics exist gauging the impact on sports, anecdotal evidence would indicate that his influence has been limited.

For example, the high-profile Gold Club (a strip bar in Atlanta) trial last summer showed that many professional athletes continue to succumb to sexual temptation despite the increased risk of disease.

Not confined to basketball, stars from the National Football League and Major League Baseball are alleged to have frequently engaged in sexual activity while visiting the bar according to court records. Among the athletes who appeared, or were scheduled to appear, as witnesses at the trial were Andruw Jones, Terrell Davis, Jamal Anderson and Patrick Ewing.

The list of athletes who have contracted HIV or died of AIDS since the Johnson announcement represent a broad spectrum of sports, ages and races. Some of the more prominent are Arthur Ashe, Greg Louganis and Tommy Morrison.

In a recent interview with ESPN, Indiana Pacers Head Coach Isiah Thomas, attempting to explain Magic’s limited impact, said, “I think the first month or two Earvin came out — just probably like every other athlete, thinking that it couldn’t happen then and then it happens to the greatest player to play the game — everyone focused on being more careful. But, watching a lot of the guys that come up in the league now, it is almost back to 15, 20 years ago.”

The growing paternity problems faced by many pro athletes further suggest that messages promoting HIV/AIDS awareness are falling on deaf ears. In a 1997 Sports Illustrated investigation, many examples of athletes with numerous illegitimate children were cited to illustrate this trend. Perhaps the most notorious player was the NBA’s Shawn Kemp, who at the time had seven children with six different women.

In addition to these examples, national data reveals that society’s reaction to the illness parallels the pattern evident in sports. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the number of reported AIDS cases in the United States actually increased from 41,502 in 1990 (the year prior to Johnson’s announcement) to 70,715 in 1995. By 1999, the number of cases had decreased back down to 41,680.

Even when taking into account the population growth the nation has experienced in the last 10 years, the data at best show little change in the spread of HIV/AIDS over the past decade. In fact, the decrease in reported cases of AIDS in 1999 can probably be attributed more to medical advancements than a shift in people’s behavior. Thus, the world of sports — rather than being an aberration — seems to simply mirror the lack of change in society since Johnson’s revelation.

In an ironic twist, part of the minimal impact of Johnson’s message may lie in his ability to thrive in life after obtaining HIV. Specifically, he has yet to develop AIDS, is bulkier than he was when first retiring, has come back to the NBA twice and has built a powerful business empire to match his success on the court.

Another contributing factor to the lack of response among athletes may be the lower rates at which heterosexual men contract the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that just 15 percent of men who have HIV/AIDS in the United States received the disease through heterosexual intercourse. In fact, some studies find that women are 20 times more likely to become infected when engaging in unprotected sex than men.

As a result, many heterosexual athletes may have a false sense of security when having unprotected sex. They shouldn’t though, because the CDC also reports that 80 percent of cases worldwide are transmitted through heterosexual sex.

Despite these obstacles, Johnson has certainly succeeded in raising awareness of HIV/AIDS among sports leagues. For example, the NFL, MLB and NBA all have implemented formal programs to increase knowledge about the dangers of the disease.

The leagues have also adopted policies to reduce the risk of transmission during athletic competition. Research from the University of Alberta Health Center has found that the risk of transmission is infinitesimally small during competition. Since 1993, only one documented case has occurred during an athletic event, when two soccer players smashed heads during a game.

Nonetheless, HIV/AIDS remains a large problem both off the court and off the field. As a result, Johnson has a lot of work ahead of him. Fortunately, he shows no signs of slowing down in his crusade to prevent the spread of this tragic disease.

Aron Pelela, 31, worked as a prep chef at The Causeway Café in Wrightsville Beach. But when the restaurant’s owners learned that Pelela was HIV-positive, they were worried about their liability and the potential risk to their customers. A local health ordinance prohibits someone with a contagious disease from working in the food industry, and HIV is a contagious disease, so the restaurant’s owners contacted the local health department for advice.

The health department would not give them clearance to employ Pelela, but they also refused to give them a statement saying it was not a violation to employ him. The restaurant’s owners felt they had no choice but to let him go, so Pelela was fired in October 2005. Attorney Joyce L. Davis of Raleigh, NC, then enlisted the help of Lambda Legal to sue the restaurant under the Americans With Disabilities Act. Lambda Legal is a national legal organization that sues businesses for perceived civil rights infringements, on behalf of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, and people who are HIV-positive.

Attorney Andrew Hanley of Wilmington, NC, who represented the restaurant, said that the owners felt they had done the right thing by firing Pelela, and they thought they had a strong defense. But they could not afford to fight Lambda Legal in federal court, so they were forced to settle with Pelela out of court for an undisclosed amount of money. “It’s just one of those issues,” Hanely said, “Where if you’re a mom-and-pop business, it’s hard to fight these national interest groups.” In addition, the restaurant had to promise that it will conduct training sessions about how HIV is transmitted, and will ensure that it does not discriminate against employees who are HIV-positive.

“There is no risk of transmission of HIV through the preparation of food, yet myths about transmission are clearly running rampant,” said Greg Nevins, senior staff attorney in Lambda Legal’s Southern Regional Office in Atlanta. “We are happy to see the owners of this restaurant instituting a policy based on the facts and training their employees on the truth about HIV transmission.”

The website of the Centers for Disease Control says people can be infected with HIV if “infected blood gets into a worker’s open cut or a mucous membrane (for example, the eyes or inside of the nose).” The site also says that “CDC has investigated only one case of HIV infection that may be attributed to contact with blood during open-mouth kissing.” So evidently there has been at least one person who contracted HIV after HIV-positive blood made contact with their mouth. Since a prep chef might knick his finger without knowing it, and the salad he just prepared might be eaten by a patron who doesn’t know there could be a drop of HIV-positive blood in it, the restaurant’s decision to fire Pelela seems overwhelmingly reasonable. What doesn’t seem reasonable is for the owners of a small restaurant to have to pay him a large sum of money just because they were trying to protect their customers.

The settlement was reached in January. In the meantime, Pelela has found another job and will not return to work at The Causeway Cafe.

Nelspruit, the provincial capital of Mpumalanga, previously known as Eastern Transvaal, is running out of space for graves. Cemeteries expected to last another 50 years are now full. The announcement, another marker in a growing pandemic, comes as a new parliamentary report has condemned as lamentable the health facilities in one of the world’s epicentres of Aids.

An estimated 31 per cent of Nelpruit’s population of 600,000 is infected. Now the city has another problem, a dramatic increase in child rape caused by the myth that sex with a virgin cures HIV.

Until 2000 most rape victims were adults. but there was an abrupt turn-around from 2001, when 65 to 70 per cent of victims were children, some as young as two weeks old. The city seems helpless in the face of its woes. The ANC’s provincial Health Minister, Sibongile Manana, has been placed under ‘curatorship’ – the Minister of Housing and the Minister of Public Works are going to help her do her job.

In the main Mpumelela hospital – Rob Ferriera, in Nelspruit – the telephones were not working and public phone boxes had to be used to call doctors and ambulances.

Surprisingly, the shortage of burial space does not appear to extend to the health facilities. Tonga hospital itself is difficult to miss – a red cross signalling its presence is painted on the side of a water tower that can be seen for miles. But the parking places for cars, while efficiently signposted – ‘public’, ‘maternity’, ‘casualty’, ‘disabled’ – are empty.

The impression that it is a modern hospital, with all the mod cons that a doctor might require, is confirmed by a plaque next to the entrance recording that it was opened by South Africa’s Minister of Health only four years ago.

But inside wheelchairs and hospital trolleys stand unused. The neat line of registration booths are empty. Spider webs across doors show that most of the wards are never used, although the beds are made.

The individual tragedy into which all this translates is epitomised by the case of Senzo Mgwenya. Senzo knows he is dying, what is killing him, how he got it and how, in theory at least, he could save himself.

He explains that as a pianist in a band he used to have as many girls as he liked. Now he has abscesses under his right arm and one of his testicles has been removed. But the drugs he really needs he cannot get. ‘Vuka Kwabifile’ is how they describe anti-retrovirals: ‘Wake up from the dying.’

Not many are being saved from the dying. South Africa’s Constitutional Court has ordered the authorities to administer anti-retrovirals to pregnant mothers and their newborns to block transmission, but the syrup by which the drugs are administered is not available in Mpumalanga.

Rape victims get anti-retrovirals immediately after an attack, but if they are found to be HIV-positive treatment stops. Barbara Kenyon, who runs a counselling service for rape and HIV/Aids victims, says they have seen an extraordinary turnaround in the incidence of rape.

She attributes this to the myth that HIV/Aids sufferers can be cured if they have sex with a virgin. Kenyon recalls how a senior policeman who recently overheard her rebutting the widespread belief interrupted her. ‘But it does!’ he said.

Scientists believe an effective Aids vaccine may be a step closer after studying an unexpected reponse to the HIV virus in individuals in Uganda who appear immune to infection.

Just over two dozen people near Lake Victoria have been found to remain uninfected even though they have unprotected sex with HIV-positive partners, a phenomenon termed “discordant couples”.

Researchers found that the immune systems of the 28 resistant individuals behaved in surprising ways which, it is hoped, will point the way to a vaccine within 10 years.

Some of the resistant individuals had a lower measured immune response than infected partners but their immune systems attacked the virus more effectively, keeping them HIV negative. The finding suggests that what matters is quality, not quantity, of immune response.

The Ugandan results suggest resistant individuals are a more widespread and significant phenomenon than first realised, researchers said.

They expect to cause a stir by calling on the scientific community to focus half of vaccine research on resistant individuals, a dramatic scaling up of what has been until now a minority interest.

The research in Entebbe takes forward the findings from studies of a small group of commercial sex workers in Kenya. The Nairobi women’s apparent immunity triggered a line of research which has led to the most promising vaccine now in trials, a joint enterprise between the universities of Oxford and Nairobi.

The findings come from the Uganda Virus Research Institute, which is backed by the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), a not-for-profit organisation set up to channel funds into promising projects.

The Entebbe-based institute started phase one trials in February of the promising DNA-MVA vaccine designed by Pro fessor Andrew McMichael at Oxford University in collaboration with scientists in Nairobi. Specifically designed to combat the A strain of the HIV virus prevalent in east Africa, phase two trials are under way in the UK and Kenya.

The Ugandan discordant couple research is expected to be published this year.

Scientists are most excited by the minority of resistent partners who possess T-cells which kill cells infected with HIV in a narrow, targeted attack, unlike their partners whose immune systems launch wider, bigger – and unsuccessful – attacks.

Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms
Abbreviation is a single letter or group of letters, which is derived from a word or words. It is used to represent the words for the sake of briefness. The doctors, medical students, pharmacists and scientists very commonly use some abbreviations in their communication in the healthcare industry. These shortcuts or short forms are known as medical abbreviations.

Medical abbreviations can be found in the medical as well as non-medical literature. Many of the common medical abbreviations are frequently used in physician orders, to write prescriptions, complete the patient charts and medical records as well as in communication. They boost brevity, convenience and efficiency as long as wisely used. They also save the time of medical professionals who would otherwise have to write very lengthy medical terms. However, you need to avoid certain abbreviations to avoid confusion and mistakes. There are thousands of medical abbreviations and it may be difficult for you to remember all the short forms.

List of Medical Acronyms and Abbreviations for Medical Terms
Following is an A to Z list of medical abbreviations and acronyms used as short forms for medical terms. This list contains more than just common medical abbreviations, and would be helpful to you as a reference to know the meaning of abbreviations used in medical fields and specialties.
Abbreviation Medical Term
AAA Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
AAD Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
AAO Alert, awake and oriented
AAS Acute Abdominal Series
AB Abortion
ab, abs Abdomen or Abdominal
ABD Abdomen
ABE Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
ABG Arterial Blood Gas
ABI Acquired Brain Injury
AC Before eating
ACB Aortocoronary Bypass
ACD Anemia of Chronic Disease
ACE Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme
ACL Anterior Cruciate Ligament
ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support
ACS Acute Coronary Syndrome
ACTH Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
AD Alzheimer’s Disease
ADA Adenosine Deaminase
ADD Attention Deficit Disorder
ADH Antidiuretic Hormone
ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADR Adverse Drug Reaction
ADR Acute Dystonic Reaction
AE Hyperkalemia
AED Antiepileptic Drug
AED Automated External Defibrillator
AF Atrial Fibrillation or afebrile
AF Amniotic Fluid
AFB Acid Fast Bacteria
AFP Alpha-fetoprotein
AGN Acute Glomerulonephritis
AI Artificial Insemination or Aortic Insufficiency
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AIDP Acute Infectious and Parasitical Diseases
AIDP Autoimmune Progesterone Dermatitis
AIDP Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
AIN Acute Interstitial Nephritis
AKA Above the Knee Amputation
ALA Aminolevulinic Acid
Alc Alcohol
ALD Alcoholic Liver Disease
ALG Antilymphocytic Globulin
ALI Acute Lung Injury
ALL Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
ALP Alkaline Phosphatase
ALPS Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome
ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
ALT Alanine Transaminase
amb Ambulate
AMI Acute Myocardial Infarction
AML Acute Myeloid Leukemia
AMS Acute Mountain Sickness
ANA Anti-nuclear Antibody
ANS Autonomic Nervous System
AODM Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2 Diabetes)
AOM Acute Otitis Media
APC Atrial Premature Contraction
APD Adult Polycystic Disease
APECED Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy-Candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy
APH Antepartum Hemorrhage
APKD Adult Polycystic Kidney Disease
APLS Antiphospholipid Syndrome
APR Abdominoperineal Resection
APS Autoimmune Polyendocrine/Polyglandular Syndrome
APTT Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time
ARC AIDS-related Complex
ARDS Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
ARF Acute Renal Failure
Arg Arginine
ARM Artificial Rupture of Membranes
ART Antiretroviral Therapy
ARVC Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
ARVD Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia
AS Aortic Stenosis
ASA Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)
ASAP As soon as possible
ASCAD Arteriosclerotic Coronary Artery Disease
ASCVD Arteriosclerotic Vascular Disease (Arteriosclerosis)
ASD Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASD Atrial Septal Defect
ASGUS Atypical Squamous Glandular Cells of Undetermined Significance
ASH, ASHD Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease (Coronary Heart Disease)
ASIS Anterior Superior Iliac Spine
ASO Antistreptolysin-O
AST Aspartate Transaminase
ATN Acute Tubular Necrosis
ATNR Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
ATP Adenosine triphosphate
ATP Acute Thrombocytopenic Purpura
ATS Anti-tetanus Serum
AV Arteriovenous/Atrioventricular
AVM Arteriovenous Malformation
AVR Aortic Valve Replacement
AXR Abdominal X-Ray
AZT Azidothymidine
a.a. Amino Acids
A-a gradient Alveolar to Arterial Gradient
A/G Albumin/Globulin ratio
A-V Arteriovenous
A-VO2 Arteriovenous Oxygen
BAC Blood Alcohol Content
BAL Blood Alcohol Level
BAL Bronchoalveolar Lavage
BAO Basic Acid Output
BAT Brown Adipose Tissue
BBB Bundle Branch Block
BBB L Left Bundle Branch Block
BBB R Right Bundle Branch Block
BC Blood Culture
BCAA Brached Chain Amino Acid
BCC Basal Cell Carcinoma
BCG Bacille Calmette-Guerin (Tuberculosis Vaccination)
BCP Birth Control Pill
BD Bipolar Disorder
BDD Body Dysmorphic Disorder
BDI Beck Depression Inventory
BE Barium Enema
BEE Basal Energy Expenditure
BGAT Blood Glucose Awareness Training
BGL Blood Glucose Level
bid Twice a day
BiPAP Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure
BiVAD Bilateral Ventricular Assist Device
BK Bradykinin
BKA below-the-knee amputation
bld Blood
BM Bone Marrow
BM Bowel Movement
BMC Bone Mineral Content
BMD Bone Mineral Density
BMI Body Mass Index
BMP Blood Metabolic Profile
BMR Basal Metabolic Rate
BMT Bone Marrow Transplant
BNP Brain Natriuretic Peptide
BOM Bilateral Otitis Media
BOOP Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia
BP Blood Pressure
BPAD Bipolar Affective Disorder
BPD Borderline Personality Disorder
BPH Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
BPM Beats Per Minute
BPPV Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
BRBPR Bright Red Blood Per Rectum
BRCA 1 Breast Cancer 1 (human gene and protein)
BS Blood Sugar
BS Breathe Sound, Bowel Sounds
BSA Body Surface Area
BSE Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
BSL Blood Sugar Level
BRBPR Bright Red Blood Per Rectum
BRP Bathroom Priviledges
BT Bleeding Time
BTL Bilateral Tubal Ligation
BTP Breakthrough pain
BUN Blood Urea Nitrogen
BVP Biventricular Vaginosis
BW Body Weight
BX Biopsy
CA Carcinoma
CA Cancer
Ca Calcium
CAA Crystalline Amino Acids
CABG Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
CAD Coronary Artery Disease
CADASIL Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy
CAG Coronary Artery Graft
CAG Coronary Angiography
CAH Chronic Active Hepatitis
CAH Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
cAMP Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate
CAPD Central Auditory Processing Disorder
CAPD Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
Caps Capsule
CAT Computed Axial Tomography
CBC Complete Blood Count
CBG Capillary Blood Gas
CBS Chronic Brain Syndrome
cc Cardiac Catheter
CC Chief Complaint
CCF Congestive Cardiac Failure
CCK Cholecystokinin
CCR Cardiocerebral Resuscitation
CCU Coronary Care Unit
CCU Clean Catch Urine
CCV Critical Closing Volume
CDH Congenital Dislocated Hip
CDP Cytosine Diphosphate
CEA Carcinoembryonic Antigen, Carotid Endarterectomy
CF Cystic Fibrosis
CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
CGL Chronic Granulocytic Leukemia
cGMP Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate
CGN Chronic Glomerulonephritis
CH Congenital Hypothyroidism
CHD Chronic Heart Disease
CHD Coronary Heart Disease
ChE Cholinesterase
CHF Congestive Heart Failure
CHO Carbohydrate
Chol Cholesterol
CHT Congenital Hypothyroidism
CI Cardiac Index
CICU Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
CIDP Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
Circ Circumcision
CIS Carcinoma in situ
CJD Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
CKD Chronic Kidney Disease
CKMB MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase
CLL Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
CML Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia/Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
CMML Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
CMP Cytosine Monophosphate
CMS Chronic Mountain Sickness
CMV Cyomegalovirus
CN Cranial Nerves
CNS Central Nervous System
CO Cardiac Output, Carbon Monoxide
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
COAD Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease
COCP Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill
COLD Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
Conj Conjunctiva
COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COX-1 Cyclooxygenase 1
CP Cerebral Palsy
CP Chest Pain
CPAP Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
CPK Creatine Phosphokinase
CPKMB Creatine Phosphokinase heart
CPP Cerebral Perfusion Pressure
CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CPT Current Procedural Terminology
CrCl Creatinine Clearance
CREST Calcinosis Raynaud Esophagus Sclerosis Teleangiectasiae
CRF Chronic Renal Failure
CRF Corticotropin-releasing factor
CRH Corticotropin-releasing hormone
CRI Chronic Renal Insufficiency
CRNS Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
CRP C-Reactive Protein
CRT Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
CsA Ciclosporin A
CSF Cerebrospinal Fluid
CT Computerized Tomography
CTA Computed Tomography Angiography
CTP Cytosine Triphosphate
CTS Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
CTU Cancer Treatment Unit
CTX Ceftriaxone Contractions
CV Cardiovascular
CVA Costovertebral Angle
CVA Cerebrovascular Accident
CVAT CVA tenderness
CVC Central Venous Catheter
CVC Chronic Venous Congestion
CVD Cardiovascular Disease
CVI Cardiovascular incident
CVID Common Variable Immunodeficiency
CVP Central Venous Pressure
CVS Cardiovascular System
CXR Chest X-Ray
C/O Complaining of
C&S Culture & Sensitivity
C-Section Cesarean Section
D5W 5% dextrose in water
DAT Direct Antiglobulin Test
DAT Diet as tolerated
DAW Dispense as written
DBP Diastolic Blood Pressure
DBS Deep Brain Stimulation
DBT Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
DC Discharge or Discontinue
DCBE Double Contrast Barium Enema
DCIS Ductal Carcinoma in situ
DCM Dilated Cardiomyopathy
DDD Daily Defined Doses
DDS Doctor of Dental Surgery
DDx Differential Diagnosis
DES Diethylstilbestrol
Detox Detoxification
DEXA Dual Energy X-ray Absorptionmetry
DHE Dihydroergotamine
DHEA Dehydroepiandrosterone
DHEA-S Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate
DHF Decompensated Heart Failure
DI Diabetes Insipidus
DIC Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
DID Dissociative Identity Disorder
DIP Distal Interphalangeal Joint
DiPer Te Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus
Dis Dislocation
DiTe Diphtheria Tetanus
DIU Death in Utero-Stillbirth
DJD Degenerative Joint Disease (Osteoarthritis)
DKA Diabetic Ketoacidosis
dl Deciliter
DLE Disseminated Lupus Erythematosus
DM Diabetes Mellitus
DMD Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
DMD Doctor of Dental Medicine
DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNR Do not resuscitate
DO Doctor of Osteopathy
DOA Drugs of Abuse
DOA Dead on Arrival
DOB Date of Birth
DOE Dyspnea on Exertion
DP Dorsalis Pedis
DPH Diphenylhydantoin
DPL Diagnostic Peritoneal Lavage
DPT Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus-DPT vaccine
DSA Digital Subtraction Angiography
DSM Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
DT Diphtheria Tetanus
DT Delirium Tremens
DTA Descending Thoracic Aorta
DTP Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis
DTR Deep Tendon Reflex
DU Duodenal Ulcer
DUB Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
DVT Deep Vein Thrombosis
DX Diagnosis
dz Disease
D & C Dilation and curettage
D/C Discharge
d.d. Differential Diagnosis
EAA Essential Amino Acids
EACA Epsilon-aminocaproic acid
EBL Estimated blood loss
EBM Expressed Breast Milk
EBT Electron beam tomography
EBV Epstein-Barr Virus
ECF Extracellular fluid
ECG Electrocardiogram
ECHO Echocardiogram
ECMO Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
ECT Electroconvulsive Therapy
ED Erectile Dysfunction
ED Ectodermal Dysplasia
EDD Estimated Date of Delivery
EDH Epidural Hematoma
EDM Esophageal Doppler Monitor
EDTA Ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid
EEG Electroencephalogram
EEX Electrodiagnosis
EF Ejection Fraction
EFAD Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency
EGD Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
EI Emotional Intelligence
EKG Electrocardiogram
ELISA Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay
EmBx Endometrial Biopsy
EMF Endomyocardial Fibrosis
EMG Electromyography
EMR Electronic Medical Record
EMU Early Morning Urine Sample
EMV Eyes, motor, verbal response
ENT Ear, Nose and Throat
EOM extraocular Muscles
EOMI Extraocular Movements Intact
EPH Edema Proteinuria Hypertension
EPO Erythropoietin
EPS Electrophysiology
EQ Emotional Intelligence Quotient
ER Emergency Room
ERCP Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
ESBL Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase
ESR Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
ESRD End-Stage Renal Disease
ESV End-systolic Volume
ESWL Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy
ET Endotracheal
Etiol Etiology
ETOH Ethanol
ETS Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy
ETT Endotracheal Tube
EUA Examination under Anesthesia
EUP Extrauterine Pregnancy
EUS Endoscopic Ultrasonography
EVAR Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
EVF Erythrocyte Volume Fraction
Exam Examination
Exp Lap Exploratory Laparotomy
E. Coli Escherichia Coli bacteria
F Fahrenheit
Fab Fragment Antigen Binding
FAMMM Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma Syndrome
FAP Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
FB Foreign Body
FBC Full Blood Count
FBE Full Blood Exam
FBG Fasting Blood Glucose
FBS Fasting Blood Sugar
FDA Food and Drug Administration
FDC Follicular Dendritic Cells
FDIU Foetal Demise in Utero
FDP Fibrin Degradation Product
Fe Iron
fem Female
FEV Forced Expiratory Volume
FFA Free Fatty Acids
FFP Fresh Frozen Plasma
FHR Fetal Heart Rate
FHS Fetal Heart Sound
FHT Fetal Heart Tones
FHx Family History
Flu Influenza
FMF Fetal Movements Felt
FMP First Menstruation Period (Menarche)
fMRI Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
FNA Fine Needle Aspiration
FNAB Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy
FNAC Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology
FNC Full Nursing Care
FNH Focal Nodular Hyperplasia
FOBT Fecal Occult Blood Test
FOS Full of Stool
FPG Fasting Plasma Glucose
FRC Functional Residual Capacity
FROM Full Range of Motion
FSBS Finger-stick Blood Sugar
FSE Fetal Scalp Electrode
FSH Follicle-stimulating Hormone
FTA Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody
FTA-ABS Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption
FTT Failure to thrive
FU Follow-up
FUO Fever of Unknown Origin
FVC Forced Vital Capacity
FWB Full Weight Bearing
Fx, # Fracture
F/C Fevers and/or Chills
G Gravidity
G6PD Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase
GA General Anaesthesia
GABA Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
GAD Generalized Anxiety Disorder
GB Gallbladder
GBM Glomerular Basement Membrane
GC Gonorrhea or Gonococcus
GCA Giant Cell Arteritis
GCS Glasgow Coma Scale
GDA Gastroduodenal Artery
GDLH Glutamate Dehydrogenase
GDP Guanosine Diphosphate
GERD Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
GETT General by Endotracheal Tube
GFR Glomerular Filtration Rate
GGT Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase
GH Growth Hormone
GHFR Growth Hormone Releasing factor
GI Glycemic Index
GI Gastrointestinal
GIFT Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer
GIST Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
GIT Gastrointestinal Tract
GITS Gastrointestinal Therapeutic System
GMC General Medical Condition
GMP Guanosine Monophosphate
GM-CSF Granulocyte-Monocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor
GN Glomerulonephritis (Nephritis)
GnRH Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
GOAT Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test
GOD Glucose Oxidase
Gomer Get Outta My ER
GORD Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
GOT Glutamic-oxalacetic Transaminase
GPT Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
gr Grain
GRAV I First Pregnancy
GSW Gun Shot Wound
GTT Glucose Tolerance Test
GU Gastric Ulcer
GU Genitourinary
GVHD Graft-versus-host disease
Gym Gymnasium
Gyn Gynecology
GXT Graded Exercise Tolerance (stress test)
HA, H/A Headache
HA Hypertonia Arterialis
HAA Hepatitis Associated Antigen
HAART Highly Active Anti-aetroviral Therapy
HACE High Altitude Cerebral Edema
HAD HIV-associated dementia
HAE Hereditary Angioedema
HAPE High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
HAV Hepatitis A Virus
Hb Hemoglobin
HB Heart Block
HbA Hemoglobin A
HbA1C Glycosylated hemoglobin
HbF Fetal Hemoglobin
HBP High Blood Pressure
HBsAg Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
HBV Hepatitis B Virus
HCC Hepatocellular Carcinoma
hCG Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HCL Hairy Cell Leukemia
Hct Hematocrit
HCT Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
HCTZ Hydrochlorothiazide
HCV Hepatitis C Virus
HD Hodgkin’s Disease
HDL High-density lipoprotein
HDL-C High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol
HDU High Dependancy Unit
HDV Hepatitis D virus
HEENT Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat
HELP, HELLP Hypertension, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets
HEMA Hydroxy Ethyl Methacrylate
Hema Hematest
HES Hydroxyethyl Starch
HETE Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid
HEV Hepatitis E Virus
Hgb Hemoglobin
HGH Human Growth Hormone
HGPRTase Hypoxanthine-guanine Phosphoribosyl Transferase
HGV Hepatitis G Virus
HH Hiatus Hernia
HHT Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectisia
HHV Human Herpesvirus
HI Homicidal Ideation
Hib Haemophilus Influenzae B
HIDS Hyper-IgD Syndrome
HIT Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HJR Hepatojugular Reflex
HL Hepatic Lipase
HL Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
HL Hearing Level
HLA Human Leukocyte Antigen
HLA Histocompatibility Locus Antigen
HLHS Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
HMD Hyaline Membrane Disease
HMGR 3-hydroxy-30methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase
HMG-CoA 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA
HMS Hyper-reactive Malarial Splenomegaly
HMSN Hereditary Motor Sensory Neuropathy
HN Hemagglutinin-neuraminidase
HND Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn
HNPCC Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer
HOB Head of Bed
HOCM Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy
HONK Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma
HPA Hypothalamic-Pituiatary-Adrenal Axis
HPETE Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid
HPF High Power Field (Microscopy)
HPI History of Present Illness
HPOA Hypertrophic Pulmonary Osteoarthropathy
HPL Human Placental Lactogen
HPV Human Papillomavirus
HR Heart Rate
HRT Hormone Replacement Therapy
hs Hours of Sleep
HSC Human Chorionic Somatomammotropin
HSG Hysterosalpingogram
HSM Hepatosplenomegaly
HSP Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
HSV Herpes Simplex Virus
HT, HTN Hypertension
Ht Height
HTLV Human T-lymphotropic Virus
HTPA Hypothalamic-pitutary-adrenal axis
HTVD Hypertensive Vascular Disease
HUS Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
HVLT High-velocity Lead Therapy
Hx History (medical)
h/o History of
H/H Henderson-Hasselbach Equation
H & E Hematoxylin and Eosin
H & H Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
h.s. At Bedtime
H-S Heel-to-shin test
H&M Hematemesis and Melena
H&P History and Physical Examination
I131 Radioactive Iodine
IA Intra-arterial
IABP Intra-aortic Balloon Pump
IAI Intra-amniotic Infection
IBC Inflammatory Breast Cancer
IBD Inflammatory Bowel Disease
IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IC Informed Consent
IC Intensive Care
IC Ileocecal
IC Immunocompromised
IC Interstitial Cystitis
IC Immune Complex
IC Intracardiac
ICCU Intensive Cardiac Care Unit
ICD Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator
ICDS Integrated Child Development Services Program
ICD-10 International Classification of Diseases – 10th revision
ICF Intracellular Fluid
ICG Impedance Cardiography
ICH Intracerebral Hemorrhage
ICP Intracranial Pressure
ICS Intercostal Space
ICU Intensive Care Unit
ID Infectious Disease or Identifying Data or Identification
IDA Iron Deficiency Anemia
IDC Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
IDC Indwelling Catheter
IDC Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma
IDDM Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
IDL Intermediate Density Lipoprotein
IDP Infectious Disease Precautions/Process
IF Immunofluorescence
IFG Impaired Fasting Glycaemia
Ig Immunoglobulin
IgA Immunoglobulin A
IgD Immunoglobulin D
IgE Immunoglobulin E
IgG Immunoglobulin G
IgM Immunoglobulin M
IGT Impaired Glucose Tolerance
IHC Immunohistochemistry
IHD Ischemic Heart Disease
IHSS Idiopathic Hypertropic Subaortic Stenosis
IM Intramuscular
IMA Inferior Mesenteric Artery
IMB InterMenstrual Bleed
IMI Intramuscular Injection
IMN Infectious Mononucleosis
IMS Irritable Male Syndrome
IMT Intima-media Thickness
IMV Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation
Inc Incomplete
Inf Injection
INF Intravenous Nutritional Fluid
INH Isoniazid
IO Intraosseous Infusion
IOL Induction Of Labor
IOP Intraocular Pressure
IP Interphalangeal Joint
IPPB Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing
IPPV Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation
IPS Intra-Peritoneal Sounds
IQ Intelligence Quotient
IRDM Insulin Resistant Diabetes Mellitus
ISA Intrinsic Sympathomimetic Activity
ISDN Isosorbide dinitrate
ISH Isolated Systolic Hypertension
ISMN Isosorbide Mononitrate
IT Interthecal
ITP Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
ITU Intensive Treatment/Therapy Unit
IU International Units
IUCD Intrauterine Contraceptive Device
IUD Intrauterine Death
IUD Intrauterine Device
IUFD Intrauterine Foetal Demise
IUI Intrauterine Insemination
IUP Intrauterine Pregnancy
IUS Intrauterine System
IV Intravenous
IVC Intravenous Cholangiogram
IVC Inferior Vena Cava
IVDU Intravenous Drug User
IVF In vitro fertilization
IVF Intravenous Fluids
IVP Intravenous Pyelogram
IVPB Intravenous Piggyback
IVU Intravenous Urogram
IVUS Intravascular Ultrasound
IV-DSA Intravenous Digital Subtraction Angiography
I&D Incision and Drainage
I&O Inputs and Outputs, Intake and Outputs
i.s.q. No change
JIA Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
JMS Junior Medical Student
JODM Juvenile-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
JRA Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
JVD Jugular Vein Distension
JVP Jugular Venous Pressure
K Potassium
KA Ketoacidosis
KBr Potassium Bromide
Kcal Kilocalorie
KCCT Kaolin Cephalin Clotting Time
kg Kilogram
KIV Keep in View
KLS Kidney, Liver, Spleen
KOR Keep Open Rate
KS Kaposi’s Sarcoma
KSHV Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated Herpes virus
KUB Kidneys, Ureters and Bladder
KVO Keep Vein Open
L Leukocytes (White Blood Cells)
L Lumbar vertebrae
LA Left Atrium, Lymphadenopathy
Lab Laboratory
LABBB Left Anterior Bundle Branch Block
LAD Left Anterior Descending-Coronary Artery
LAD Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency
LAD Left Axis Deviation-Electrocardiogram
LAD Lymphadenopathy
LAE Left Atrial Enlargement
LAHB Left Anterior Hemiblock
Lam Laminectomy
LAP Leukocyte Alkaline Phosphatase
Lap Laparotomy
LAR Low Anterior Resection
LARP Left-Anterior, Right-Posterior
LAS Lymphadenopathy Syndrome
LASIK Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis
Lat Lateral
lb, LB Pound
LBBB Left Bundle Branch Block
LBO Large Bowel Obstruction
LBP Low Back Pain
LCA Left Coronary Artery
LCIS Lobular Carcinoma in situ
LCM Lymphocytic Meningitis
LCX Left Circumflex Artery
Lc of ch Laxative of choice
LDH Lactate Dehydrogenase
LDL Low Density Lipoprotein
LDL-C Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
LE Lupus Erythematosus
LE Lower Extremity
LEC Lupus Erythematosus Cell
LES Lower Esophageal Sphincter
LES Lupus Erythematosus Systemicus
leu Leukocytes
LFT Liver Function Test
LGL Lown-Ganong-Levine Syndrome
LGM Lymphogranulomatosis Maligna
LGV Lymphogranuloma Venereum
LH Luteinizing Hormone
Lig Ligament
LIH Left Inguinal Hernia
LLE Left Lower Extremity
LLL Left Lower Lobe
LLQ Left Lower Quadrant
LM Left Main
LMA Left Mentoanterior-Fetal Position
LMCA Left Main Coronary Artery
LMD Local Medical Doctor
LMP Last Menstrual Period
LN Lymph Node
LOA Left Occipitoanterior
LOC Level of Consciousness
LOP Left Occipitoposterior
LORTA Loss of Resistance To Air
LOS Length of Stay
Lot Lotion
Lp Lipoprotein
LP Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)
LPH Left Posterior Hemiblock
LPL Lipoprotein Lipase
LPN Licensed Practical Nurse
LR Lactated Ringer’s Solution
LRTI Lower Respiratory Tract Infection
LTAC Long-term Acute Care
LSB Left Sternal Border
LSD Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
LUL Left Upper Lobe-Lung
LUQ Left Upper Quadrant
LV Left Ventricle
LVAD Left Ventricular Assist Device
LVEDP Left Ventricular End Diastolic Pressure
LVEF Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
LVF Left Ventricular Failure
LVH Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
LVOT Left Ventricular Outflow Track
Ly Lymphocytes
lytes Electrolytes
L&D Labor and Delivery (Childbirth)
L-DOPA Levo-Dihydroxyphenylalanine
M Murmur (heart murmur)
MAE Moves All Extremities
MAL Midaxillary Line
MAO-I Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
MAP Mean Arterial Pressure
MAS Morgagni-Adams-Stokes Syndrome
MAST Medical Antishock Trousres
MARSA Methicillin and Aminoglycoside-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MAT Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia
MBT Maternal Blood Type
MC Metacarpal Bone
MCH Mean Cell Hemoglobin
MCH Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin
MCHC Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration
MCP Metacarpophalangeal Joint
MCV Mean Cell Volume
MC&S Microscopy, Culture and Sensitivity
MDD Major Depressive Disorder (Clinical Depression)
MDE Major Depressive Episode
MDI Metered Dose Inhaler
MDS Myelodysplastic Syndrome
MEDLINE Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online
MEN Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia
mEq milliequivalent
MeSH Medical Subject Headings
met Metastasis
MET Metabolic Equivalent
mg milligram
Mg Magnesium
MgSO4 Magnesium Sulfate
MGUS Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance
MI Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
MIC Minimum Inhibitory Concentration
MICA Mental Illness and Chemical Abuse
MICU Mobile Intensive Care Unit
MIP Maximum Inspiratory Pressure
mL milliliter
MLC Mixed Lymphocyte Culture
MLE Midline Episiotomy
MM Myeloid Metaplasia
MMEF Maximal Mid Expiratory Flow
mmol millimole
MMPI Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
MMR Measles, Mumps, Rubella
Mo Monocytes
mod Moderate
mod Modified
MODY Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young
MOM Milk of Magnesia
Mono Infectious Mononucleosis (Glandular Fever)
MOPP Mechlorethamine, Vincristine, Procarbazine and Prednisone
MPD Myeloproliferative Disease
MPV Mean Platelet Volume
MR Mitral Regurgitation
MR Modified Release
MR Mental Retardation
MRA Magnetic Resonance Angiography
MRCP Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography
MRG Murmurs, Rubs and Gallops
MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
MS Multiple Sclerosis
MS Mitral Stenosis
MS Mental Status
MSE Mental Status Examination
MSH Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone
MSM Methylsulfonylmethane
MSSA Methicillin-sensitive Staph aureus
MSO4 Morphine or Morphine Sulfate
MSU Midstream Urine Sample
MSUD Maple Syrup Urine Disease
MT Metatarsal Bone
MTBI Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
MTP Metatarsalphalangeal Joint
MTX Methotrexate
MVA Motor Vehicle Accident
MVC Motor Vehicle Crash
MVI Multivitamin Injection
MVP Mitral Valve Prolapse
MVPS Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome
MVR Mitral Valve Replacement
MVV Maximum Voluntary Ventilation
M&M Morbidity & Mortality
Na Sodium
NABS Normoactive Bowel Sounds
NAD No Abnormality Detected
NAD No Apparent Distress
NAS No Added Salt
NB Newborn
NBN Newborn Nursery
NC Nasal Cannula
NC Nerve Action Potential
NCC Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy
NCS Nerve Conduction Study
NCT Nerve Conduction Test
NCV Nerve Conduction Velocity
ND Not Done
Ne Neutrophil Granulocytes
NE Norepinephrine
NEC Not Elsewhere Classified
NED No Evidence of Recurrent Disease
Neg Negative
Neo Neoplasm
NES Not Elsewhere Specified
NFR Not for Resuscitation
ng Nanogram
NG Nasogastric
NGT Nasogastric Tube
NGU Non-Gonococcal Urethritis
NHL Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
NICU Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
NIDDM Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2 Diabetes)
NK Natural Killer Cells
NKA No Known Allergies
NKDA No Known Drug Allergies
NI Normal
NLP No Light Perception
NLP Neuro-Linguistic Programming
NM Nuclear Medicine
NMR Nuclear Magnetic Resoance
NNH Number Needed to Harm
NNT Number Needed to Treat
NO Nitric Oxide
No. Number
NOF Neck of Femur Fracture
Non rep. Do not repeat
NOS Nitric Oxide Synthase
NOS Not Otherwise Specified
NPH Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Npl Neoplasm
NPO Nil per os
NPTAC No Previous Tracing Available For Comparison
NRB Non-Rebreather Mask
NREM Non-Rapid Eye Movement
NRM No Regular Medications
NS Normal Saline
NSA No Significant Abnormality
NSAID Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
NSCC Non-squamous-cell carcinoma
NSD Normal Spontaneous Delivery (Natural Childbirth)
NSE Neurospecific Enolase
NSR Normal Sinus Rhythm
NST Non-Stress Test
NSTEMI Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
NSU Non-Specific Urethritis
NT Not Tested
NT Nasotracheal
NTG Nitroglycerin
NTT Nasotracheal Tube
NVD Normal Vaginal Delivery
NVD Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea
NVDC Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea and Constipation
n.s. Not Significant
N&V Nausea and Vomiting
O2 Oxygen
OA Osteoarthritis
Obl Oblique
OBS Organic Brain Syndrome
OB-GYN Obstetrics and Gynecology
Occ Occasional
OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCG Oral Cholecystogram
OCNA Old Chart Not Available
OCP Oral Contraceptive Pill
OCPD Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
OCT Optical Coherence Tomography
od Everyday
OD Right Eye (Latin: Oculus Dexter)
OD Occupational Disease
OD Overdose
OE Otitis Externa (Ear Infection)
OGTT Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
Oint Ointment
om Every Morning
OM Otitis Media (Ear Infection)
OME Otitis Media with Effusion
on Every Night
OOB Out of bed
OPD Outpatient Department
OPPT Oriented to Person, Place and Time
OPV Outpatient Visit
OPV Oral Polio Vaccine
OR Operating Room
ORIF Open Reduction Internal Fixation
ORSA Oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
OS Orthopedic Surgery
OS Left Eye (Ltin-Oculus Sinister)
OSA Obstructive Sleep Apnea
OSH Outside Hospital
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Osm Osmolarity
Osteo Osteomyelitis
OT Occupational Therapy
OTC Over-the-counter Drug
OTD Out the Door
OTPP Oriented to Time Place and Person
OU Both eyes (Latin: Oculi Uterque)
oz Ounce
O/E On examination
O&P Ova and Parasites
P Phosphorus
P Post
P Pulse
PA Pulmonary Artery
PA Posteroanterior
PA Physician Assistant
PAC Premature Atrial Contraction
PAC Pulmonary Artery Catheter
PAD Peripheral Artery Disease
PAF Platelet Activating Factor
PAF Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
PAI-1 Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1
PAL Posterior Axillary Line
PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support
PAN Polyarthritis Nodosa
PAO Peak Acid Output
PaO2 Peropheral Arterial Oxygen Content
PAO2 Alveolar Oxygen
PAOD Peripheral Artery Occlusive Disease
Pap Papanicolaou Test (Pap Smear)
PAP Positive Airway Pressure
PAP Papanicolaou Stain
PAP Pulmonary Artery Pressure
PARA I Indicating a woman with one child
PAT Paroxysmal Atrial Trachycardia
PCa Prostate Cancer
PCA Patient Care Report
PCA Patient-controlled Analgesia
PCD Postconcussional Disorder
PCI Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
PCL Posterior Cruciate Ligament
PCN Penicillin
PCNSL Primary CNS Lymphoma
PCO Polycystic Ovary
PCOS Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
PCP Pneumocystis Pneumonia
PCP Primary Care Physician
PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction
PCS Post-concussion Syndrome
PCV Packed Cell Volume
PCV Polycythemia vera
PCWP Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure
PD Parkinson’s Disease
PD Peritoneal Disease
PDA Patent Ductus Arteriosus
PDD Pervasive Developmental Disorder
PDE Phosphodiesterase
PDR Physician’s Drug Reference
PDT Photodynamic Therapy
PE Pre-eclampsia
PE Pulmonary Embolism
PE Physical Examination
PEA Pulseless Electrical Activity
PEEP Positive End Expiratory Pressure
PEF Peak Expiratory Flow
PEFR Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
PEG Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy
pen Penicillin
PERRL Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light
PERLA Pupils Equal and Reactive to Light and Accomodation
Per Vag Per Vaginam
PET Positron-emission Tomography
PFO Patent Foramen Ovale
PFT Pulmonary Function Test
pg Picogram
PGCS Paediatric Glasgow Coma Scale
pH Hydrogen Ion Concentration
Ph1 Philadelphia Chromosome
PH Pulmonary Hypertension
PHx Past History (medical)
PHTLS Prehospital Trauma Life Support
PI Present Illness
PI Pulmonic Insufficiency Disease
PICC Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter
PID Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PID Prolapsed Intervertibral Disc
PIH Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
PIP Proximal Interphalangeal Joint
PK Pyruvate Kinase
PKA Protein Kinase A
PKD Polycystic Kidney Disease
PKU Phenylketonuria
PLAT Tissue Plasminogen Activator
PLT Platelets
PMB Post-Menopausal Bleeding
PMH Past Medical History
PMH Perimesencephalic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
PMI Point of Maximal Impulse
PMN Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes
PMS Premenstrual Syndrome
PMR Polymyalgia Rheumatica
PMR Percutaneous Myocardial Revascularisation
PM&R Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
PND Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
PNM Perinatal Mortality
POD Postoperative Days
POEMS Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal Protein, Skin Changes
poly Polymorphonuclear Cells
Post Posterior
POX Peroxidase
PP Post-partum
PP Postprandial or Pulsus Paradoxus or Pulse Pressure
PPCS Prolonged Post-Concussion Syndrome
PPD (Cigarette) Packs Per Day
PPD Postpartum Depression
PPD Purified Protein Derivative or Mantoux Test
PPH Postpartum Hemorrhage
PPH Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
PPH Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids
PPI Proton Pump Inhibitor
PPROM Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes
Ppt Precipitate
PPTCT (HIV) Prevention of Parent To Child Transmission
PPTL Post-Partum Tubal Ligation
PR Prothrombin Ratio
PRA Plasma Renin Activity
PRBC Packed Red Blood Cells
Preme Premature Baby
Prep Preparation
PRIND Prolonged Reversible Ischemic Neurologic Deficit
PRL Prolactin
PRN As Necessary
Prog Prognosis
PROM Premature Rupture of Membranes
PRP PanRetinal Photocoagulation
PRV Polycythemia rubra vera
PS Pulmonic Stenosis
PSA Prostate Specific Antigen
PSH Pscychosocial History
PSP Phenylsulphtalein
PSS Progressive Systemic Sclerosis
PSV Pressure Supported Ventilation
Pt Patient
PT Physical Therapy
PT Prothrombin Time
PTA Peritonsillar Abscess
PTA Post-traumatic Amnesia
PTA Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty
PTA Prior to admission
PTB Pulmonary Tuberculosis
PTC Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography
PTCA Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty
PTD Prior to Discharge
PTH Parathyroid Hormone
PTHC Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography
PTSD Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSS Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome
PTT Partial Thromboplastin Time
PTU Propylthioluracil
PTx Pneumothorax
PUD Peptic Ulcer Disease
PUO Pyrexia of Unknown Origin
PUVA Psoralen UV A
PVC Premature Ventricular Contraction
PVD Peripheral Vascular Disease
PVFS Post-viral Fatigue Syndrome
PVR Pulmonary Vascular Resistance
PVS Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
PVS Persistent Vegetative State
PWP Pulmonary Wedge Pressure
Px Physical Examination
Px Prognosis
p.c. After Food (Latin: Post Cibum)
p.o. By Mouth
p.r. Per rectum
p.v. Per Vagina
P&A Percussion and Auscultation
P&PD Percussion and Postural Drainage
P-Y Pack-years
q Each, every (Latin: Quaque)
q4h, q6h Every 4 hours, every 6 hours
QALY Quality-adjusted Life Years
QNS Quantity Not Sufficient
QOF Quality and Outcomes Framework
Qs/Qt Shunt Fraction
qt Quart
Qt Total Cardiac Output
q.a.d. Every Other Day (Latin: Quaque Altera Die)
q.AM Every morning
q.d. Each Day
q.d.s. Four Times Each Day
q.h. Each Hour
q.h.s. Every bedtime
q.i.d. Four Times Each Day
q.I. As much as you like
q.m.t. Every Month
q.n. Every Night
q.o.d. Every Other Day
q.o.h. Every other hour
q.s. AS much as suffices
q.w.k. Weekly
RA Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA Refractory Anemia
RA Right Atrium
rad Radian
RAD Right Axis Deviation
RAD Reflex Anal Dilatation
RAD Reactive Attachment Disorder
Rad hys Radical Hysterectomy
RAE Right Atrial Enlargement
RAI Radioactive Iodine
RAP Right Atrial Pressure
RAPD Relative Afferent Pupilary Defect
RBBB Right Bundle Branch Block
RBC Red Blood Cells
RBC Red Blood Count
RBP Retino-binding Protein
RCA Right Coronary Artery
RCM Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
RCM Right Costal Margin
RCT Randomized Controlled Trial
RD Retinal Detachment
RDA Recommended Daily Allowance
RDS Respiratory Distress Syndrome
RDW Red Cell Distribution Width
RELP Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism
REM Rapid Eye Movement
RES Reticuloendothelial System
RF Rheumatic Fever
RF Rheumatoid Factor
RFLP Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism
RFT Renal Function Test
Rh Rhesus factor
RHD Rheumatoid Heart Disease
RhF Rheumatoid Factor
RIA Radioimmunoassay
RIBA Radioimmunoblotting Assay
RICE Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation
RIH Right Inguinal Hernia
RIMA Reversible Inhibitor of Monoamine Oxidase A
RIND Reversible Ischemic Neurologic Deficit
RL Ringer’s Lactate
RLE Right Lower Extremity
RLL Right Lower Lobe-lung
RLN Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve
RLN Regional Lymph Node
RLQ Right Lower Quadrant
RLS Restless Legs Syndrome
RML Right Middle Lobe-lung
RNA Ribonucleioc Acid
RNV Radionuclear Ventriculography
ROA Right Occipital Anterior
ROM Range of Motion
ROP Right Occipital Posterior
ROS Review of Systems
ROSC Return of Spontaneous Circulation
RPG Retrograde Pyelogram
RPR Rapid Plasma Reagin Test
RQ Respiratory Quotient
RR Respiratory Rate
RRR Regular Rate and Rhythm
RSI Rapid Sequence Induction
RSV Respiratory Syncytial Virus
RT Respiratory Therapy
RTA Renal Tubal Acidosis
RTC Return to Clinic
RTS Revised Trauma Source
RU Resin Uptake
RUE Right Upper Extremity
RUL Right Upper Lobe – lung
RUG Retrograde Urethogram
RUQ Right Upper Quadrant
RV Right Ventricle
RV Residual Volume
RVAD Right Ventricular Assist Device
RVF Right Ventricular Failure
RVH Right Ventricular Hypertrophy
RVSP Right Ventricular Systolic Pressure
RVT Renal Vein Thrombosis
Rx Prescription Drug or medical treatment
r/g/m rubs/gallops/murmurs
R/O Rule Out
S Sacrum
S1 First Heart Sound
S2 Second Heart Sound
SA Sinoatrial Node
SAA Syntheric Amino Acid
SAB Staphylococcal Bacteremia
SAB Spontaneous Abortion (Miscarriage)
SAH Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
SAN Sinoatrial Node
SaO2 Oxygen Saturation of Artial Blood
SAPS II Simplified Acute Physiology Score
SAPS III Simplified Acute Physiology Score
SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Sat Saturation
SB Small Bowel
SBE Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis
SBFT Small Bowel Follow Through
SBO Small Bowel Obstruction
SBP Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
SBP Systolic Blood Pressure
SBS Short Bowel Syndrome
SCC Squamous Cell Carcinoma
SCID Severe Combined Immunodeficiency
Scope Microscope or Endoscope
SCr Serum Creatinine
SD Standard Deviation
SDH Subdermal Hematoma
Sed Sedimentation
Segs Segmented Cells
SEM Systolic Ejection Murmur
SFA Serum Folic Acid
SFA Superficial Femoral Artery
SGA Small for Gestational Age
SGGT Serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase
SGOT Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase
SGPT Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase
SG cath Swan-Ganz Catheter
SHBG Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
SHx Social history
SHx Surgical History
SI Suicidal Ideation
SI Seriously Ill
SI International System of Units
SI Sacroiliacal (SI Joint)
SIADH Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone
SICU Surgical Intensive Care Unit
SIDS Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
sig Write on label
SIMV Synchronized Intermittent Mechanical Ventilation
SIT Stress Inoculation Training
SK Streptokinase
sl Sublingual
SLE Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
SLR Straight Leg Raise
SM Multiple Sclerosis
SMA Superior Mesenteric Artery
SMA Sequential Multiple Analysis
SMA Spinal Muscular Atrophy
SMA-6 Six-channel Serum Multiple Analysis
SMA-7 Serum Metabolic Assay
SMO Slips made out
SMS Senior Medical Student
SMT Spinal Manipulative Therapy
SMV Superior Mesenteric Vein
SN Student Nurse
SNB Sentinel Node Biopsy
SNP Sodium Nitroprusside
SNRI Serotonin-norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
SOAP Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
SOB Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea)
SOBOE Short of Breath On Exercise
Sol Solution
SOL Space Occupying Lesion
SOOB Send Out of bed
SOS Save Our Souls
SP Status Post
Spec Specimen
SPECT Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography
SPEP Single Protein Electrophoresis
SPET Single Photon Emission Tomography
Sp. Fl. Spinal Fluid
Sp. Gr. Specific Gravity
Sq Subcutaneous
SR Slow Release
SROM Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes
SS Sickle-cell disease (anemia)
SSRI Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
SSS Sick Sinus Syndrome
SSSS Staphylococcal Sclaed Skin Syndrome
Staph Staphylococcus
STD Sexually Transmitted Disease
STAT Immediately
STEMI ST Elevation MI (Myocardial Infarction)
STH Somatotropic Hormone
STI Soft Tissue Injury
STI Sexually Transmitted Infection
STNR Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
STOP Surgical Termination of Pregnancy
Strep Streptococcus
STS Serological Test for Syphilis
Subq Subcutaneous
Supp Suppository
SV Seminal Vesicle
SV Stroke Volume
SVD Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery
SVI Systemic Viral Infection
SVN Small Volume Nebulizer
SVR Systemic Vascular Resistance
SVT Supraventricular Tachycardia
Sx Symptoms
Sx Surgery
SXA Single Energy X-ray Absorptiometer
SXR Skull X-ray
Sz Seizure
s.c. Subcutaneous
s.d. Subdermal
S&E Sugar and Acetone
T Thoracic Vertebrae
Tab Tablet
TAB Therapeutic Abortion
TAH Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
TB, TBC Tuberculosis
TBC Total Body Crunch
TBG Total Binding Globulin
TBI Total Body Irradiation
TBI Traumatic Brain Injury
TBLC Term Birth Living Child
TC Traffic Crash
TCC Transitional Cell Carcinoma
TCN Tetracycline
TCT Thrombin Clotting Time
Td Tetanus and Diphtheria
TdP Torsades de pointes
TEB Thoracic Electrical Bioimpedance
TEE Transesophageal Echocardiogram
TEM Transmission Electron Microscopy
Temp Temperature
TENS Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator
TERN Intern
TF, T/F Transfer
TFTs Thyroid Function Tests
Tg Thyroglobulin
TG Triglycerides
TGA Transposition of the Great Arteries
THR Total Hip Replacement
TIA Transient Ischemic Attack
TIBC Total Iron Binding Capacity
Tib-Fib Tibia and Fibula
TIG Tetanus Immune Globulin
TIPS Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt
TKR Total Knee Replacement
TKVO To Keep Vein Open
TLC Total Lung Capacity
TLC Total Leucocyte Count
TLC Tender Loving Care
TLR Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
TM Tympanic Membrane
TM Transcendental Meditation
TMB Too Many Birthdays
TME Total Mesorectal Excision
TNF Tumor Necrosis Factors
TMJ Temporomandibular Joint
TNG Trinitroglycerin
TNM Tumor-Nodes-Metastases
TNTC Too numerous to count
TO Telephone Order
TOA Tuboovarian Abscess
TOD Transoesophageal Doppler
TOE Transoesophageal Echocardiogram
TOP Termination Of Pregnancy (Abortion)
TOPV Trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine
TP Totyal Protein
TPa Tissue Plasminogen Activator
TPN Total Parenteral Nutrition
TPR Temperature, Pulse, Respiration
Tr Tincture
TR Tricuspid Regurgitation
TRAM Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap
TRF Transfer
TRF’d Transferred
TRH Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone
TS Tricuspid Stenosis
TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Tsp Teaspoon
TT Thrombin Time
TTE Transthoracic Echocardiogram
TTO To Take Out
TTP Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
TTR Transthyretin
TTS Transdermal Therapeutic System
TTTS Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Tu Tumor
TUR Transurethral Resection
TURBT Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor
TURP Transurethral Resection of Prostate
TV Tridal Volume
TVH Total Vagina Hysterectomy
tw Twice a week
Tx Treatment
Tx Transplatation (Organ Transplant)
Tx Traction
t.d.s. Three Times a day
t.i.d. Three times a day
T.S.T.H. Too sick to send home
T&A Tonsillectomy with Adenoidectomy
T&C Type and cross-match (Blood Transfusion)
T&H Type and Hold
UA Urinanalysis
UAC Uric Acid
UAC Umbilical Artery Catheter
UAO Upper Airway Obstruction
UBD Universal Blood Donor
UBT Urea Breath Test
UC Umbilical Cord
UC Ulcerative Colitis
UCHD Usual Childhood Disease
UD As directed
UDS Urine Drug Screening
UE Upper Extremity
UFH Unfractionated Heparin
UGI Upper Gastrointesinal
Ung Ointment
Unk Unknown
UOP Urinary Output
UPJ Ureteropelvic Junction
URI Upper Respiratory Infection
URQ Upper Respiratory Quadrant
URTI Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
US Ultrasonogram
US Ultrasound
USG Ultrasonography (Prenatal Ultrasound Imaging)
USP United States Pharmacopeia
USR Unheated Serum Reagin
USS Ultrasound Scan
UTI Urinary Tract Infection
UUN Urinary Urea Nitrogen
UVAL Ultraviolet Argon Laser
U&E Urea and Electrolytes
VA Visual Acuity
VAD Ventricular Assist Device
VAD Venous Access Device
VAD Vincristine Adriblastine Dexamethasone
Vag Vaginal
VAMP Vincristine Adriblastine Methylprednisone
VBAC Vaginal Birth After Caesarean
VC Vital Capacity
vCJD Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
VCT Venous Clotting Time
VCTC Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centers
VCUG Voiding Cysourethrogram
VD Vaginal Delivery
VD Volume of Distribution
VD Venereal Disease
VDRF Ventilator Dependent Respiratory Failure
VDRL Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory
VE Vaginal Examination
VEB Ventricular Ectopic Beat
VF or V-fib Ventricular Fibrillation
VIP Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
VLDL Very Low Density Lipoprotein
VMA Vanillylmandelic Acid
VMA Violent Mechanical Asphyxia
VNPI VanNuys Prognostic Scoring Index (Ductal Carcinoma)
VO Verbal Order
VOD Volume of Distribution
VPA Valproic Acid
VPAP Variable Positive Airway Pressure
VPB Ventricular Premature Beats
VPC Ventricular Premature Contraction
VRE Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus
VRSA Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
VS Vital Signs
VSD Ventricular Septal Defect
VSR Ventricular Septal Rupture
VSS Vital Signs Stable
VT Ventricular tachycardia
VTE Venous THromboembolism
VV Varicose Veins
VW Vessel Wall
VWD Von Willebrand’s Disease
VZV Varicella Zoster Virus
V/Q Ventilation/perfusion Scan
WAP Wandering Atrial Pacemaker
WAT white adipose tissue
WB Whole Blood
WBC White Blood Cell, White Blood Cell Count
WBR whole body radiation
WC white cells
WD well developed
WDL within defined limits
WDWN well developed and well nourished
WF white female
WH Well Hydrated (no Dehydration nor Water Intoxication)
WIA wounded in action
WN well nourished
WNL within normal limits
WO written order, weeks old, wide open.
WOP without pain
WPW Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
WS Waardenburg syndrome
WS water-soluble
WS Werner syndrome
WS West syndrome
WS Wolfram syndrome
WS Williams Syndrome
wt Weight
WWI walking while intoxicated
W-T-D wet to dry
W/ With
w/o without
W/U Workup
W/C Wheelchair
X2d Times 2 days
XL Extended Release
XL Extra Large
XM Crossmatch
XMM Xeromammography
XOM Extraocular Movements
XR Extended Release
XR X-ray Radiography (Radiation Therapy)
XRT X-ray Threapy
XS Excessive
XULN Times Upper Limit of Normal
YF Yellow Fever
YLC Youngest Living Child
YO/yo Years Old
YOB Year of Birth
ytd Year to Date
ZD Zinc Deficiency
ZDV Zidovudine
ZE Zollinger-Ellison
Zn Zinc
ZnO Zinc Oxide
ZIFT Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer
ZSB Zero Stools Since Birth
Z-ESR Zeta Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

By Anastacia Mott Austin

Sean Sykes, 33, was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday for knowingly exposing a woman to the HIV virus, after he had been previously convicted of the same crime.

Sykes, who is HIV-positive, spent five years in jail after being convicted in 1997 of infecting two women with the virus. A Missouri law passed in 1988 determined that exposing a partner to the virus without disclosing one’s HIV-positive status is a felony.

In the current case, Sykes was found guilty of exposing a woman to HIV in 2003. The woman has now tested positive.

Prosecutor Dwight Scroggins stated for the jury that Sykes had sexual contact with “numerous” women since his diagnosis, and witness testimony revealed that at least eight women had been exposed – three of whom later contracted HIV.

In a rare move, the case was closed to the public to protect the identities of the women involved.

“I think it’s fairly clear he is a very dangerous individual,” said Scroggins to reporters. “If he is not in prison, he would likely continue to spread HIV.”

Though Sykes claimed that the woman was aware of his status, he apologized. “I will admit that my behavior in the early ‘90s and up until first conviction was not appropriate,” he said. “Even though [the woman] was aware of my status, I should have seen nothing good would come as far as a sexual relationship.”

One of the two women infected by Sykes in the 1990s testified in the current case. A mother of two, the woman stated that her life had been ruined by the disease, and that she has about two years to live. “When I found out that Sean was on trial again for this, it drove me crazy. The main question is why? Why is he doing this?”

While some may argue that a life sentence for this crime is harsh, assistant prosecutor Kathleen Fisher seemed to think it fit just fine. “It’s not an immediate death sentence,” said Fisher to reporters. “But that’s what he’s done to these people, his victims.”

A division of the German pharmaceutical company Bayer knowingly sold blood-clotting agents infected with the human immunodeficiency virus to Asia and Latin America months after withdrawing them from Europe and the US, a US newspaper claimed yesterday.

Cutter Biological continued to dump stocks of the Factor VIII blood-clotting agent for haemophiliacs on poor countries for nearly a year after introducing a safer alternative, the report in the New York Times said.

It happened in the early 80s, after the Centres for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, reported in July 1982 that haemophiliacs were becoming ill from blood products.

Up to that time Factor VIII, produced from the plasma of about 10,000 donors, was not screened for HIV, and it became a leading killer of haemophiliacs in the early years of Aids.

Although the concern raised by the CDC had percolated through internal Cutter documents the company, anxious about its slipping sales figures, publicly scoffed at the notion of Aids and that its products were a risk to haemophiliacs.

In June 1983, the newspaper reports, it wrote to its distributors in France and nearly 20 other countries saying: “Aids has become the centre of irrational response in many countries.”

In February 1984, after the danger was incontrovertibly established, Cutter began selling plasma products which had been heat-treated, but it continued to export old stocks of Factor VIII to industrialised and poor countries for more than a year; in part to get rid of old stocks but also to preserve profitable long-term contracts.

In 1985, the Times reports, a company taskforce asked: “Can we in good faith continue to ship non-heat-treated coagulation products to Japan?”

It also found documents from 1984 directing a distributor in Hong Kong to use up the old produce before selling newer stocks, and advised doctors there who asked direct questions about the risk of HIV infection that its products were not hazardous.

“There is excess non-heated inventory,” the minute of a November 1984 company meeting said.

Yesterday the company, which has paid $600m (£375) to settle lawsuits brought by thousands of American haemophiliacs infected by its products, defended its actions.

“Bayer has always behaved responsibly, ethically, and humanely,” it said in a statement from its headquarters in Leverkusen, Germany.

“Decisions made nearly two decades ago were based on the best scientific information of the time and were consistent with the regulations in place.”

The documents which formed the basis of the New York Times report were produced in connection with the lawsuits.

The total number of people in Asia and Latin America infected by HIV or who died from Aids after being treated with the products from Cutter is unclear, but the paper said that at least 100 were infected in Taiwan and Hong Kong alone.

Cutter appears to have exported more than 100,000 vials of the older product to Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and Argentina.