Related Pages

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Defined

Index of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Glossary of Terms

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

ACUTE:

of short duration

ALLERGIC REACTION:

a reaction that results from extreme sensitivity to a drug or agent and is not dependent on the amount of drug given. These may be classified into two types, immediate and delayed, based on the time it takes for the reaction to occur

ALOPECIA:
(49KB)

absence or loss of hair. In secondary syphilis, this temporary hair loss is patchy, given a "moth eaten" appearance, and may include loss of eyebrow hair

AMOEBIASIS:
(59 KB)

infection with amoebas, especially Entamoeba histolytica

ANAPHYLAXIS:
(49 KB)

the most serious form of immediate allergic reaction, capable of causing death. Occasionally occurs as a result of penicillin therapy

ANTIBIOTIC:

a chemical substance capable of destroying bacteria and other micro-organisms

ANTIBODY:

a protein belonging to a class of proteins called immunoglobulins. Antibodies are produced by plasma cells to counteract specific antigens (infectious agents like viruses, bacteria, etc.). The antibodies then combine with the antigen that they are made to fight and often cause the death of that infectious agent

ANTIGEN:

a substance (often a protein or carbohydrate on the surface of an infectious agent) foreign to the body that stimulates the formation of antibodies to combat its presence

ASYMPTOMATIC:
(65 KB)

having an infectious organism within the body but showing or causing no outward symptoms

AUTOINOCULATE:
(59 KB)

a secondary infection originating from an infection site already present in the body

BACTERIA:

small micro-organisms, usually visible under a light microscope, and killed by antibiotics

BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS:
(75KB)

see entry in STD section

BALANITIS:
(43 KB)

inflammation of the head of the penis; see entry in STD section

BENIGN:
(38 KB)

suggesting a favourable outcome (as opposed to malignant)

BIOPSY:

the removal of tissue from the living body for the purpose of diagnostic examination

CAESAREAN DELIVERY (SECTION):
(43 KB)

delivery of a child by surgical opening of the uterus

CANDIDA ALBICANS:
(54 KB)

fungal organism, normally present in humans—an overgrowth may result in irritation of the vagina ("thrush") or glans penis (balanitis)

CANDIDIASIS / "THRUSH":
(59 KB)

see entry in STD section

CERVIX:
(32 KB)

the narrow neck of the uterus which extends into the vagina

CHANCRE:
(32 KB)

the initial sore of primary syphilis occurring at the site of entry of Treponema pallidum

CHLAMYDIA:
(43 KB)

see entry in STD section

CHRONIC:

having a long and relatively mild course

COMMUNICABLE:
(43 KB)

able to spread from one diseased person or animal to another person or animal, either directly or indirectly

CONGENITAL:
(38 KB)

acquired by the newborn before or at time of birth

CONJUNCTIVITIS:
(49 KB)

inflammation of the surfaces of the eye and eyelid; may be caused by a chlamydial or gonococcal infection

CONTACT TRACING:

a process of ensuring that the sexual partners of infected individuals are made aware of their exposure and examined and treated if necessary

"CRABS" / PUBIC LICE / PEDICULOSIS PUBIS:

see entry in STD section

CUNNILINGUS:
(43KB)

mouth contact with female genitals

CUTANEOUS:
(37KB)

having to do with skin

CYSTITIS:
(43KB)

inflammation of the bladder

DARKFIELD(DF):

a special microscopic technique used to identify spirochaetes in the fluid collected from a chancre. Light is reflected at a certain angle so the spirochaetes show up as a light-coloured subject against a dark background or field

DISSEMINATED:
(43KB)

spread of the disease throughout the body usually through the blood

DYSURIA:
(43KB)

burning sensation associated with urination

ECTOPIC PREGNANCY:
(49KB)

pregnancy occurring anywhere except in the uterus; usually refers to pregnancy occurring in the fallopian tube

ENDEMIC:
(38KB)

present and prevailing continually in a community or among a group of people

ENDOCERVICAL:
(48KB)

pertaining to the interior of the cervix, especially the endocervical canal

EPIDEMIC:
(37KB)

v

a disease is said to reach epidemic proportions when its incidence rate surpasses the projected normal rate in any well-defined geographical area

FELLATIO:

mouth contact with the penis

FOETUS:
(32KB)

the unborn child

GENITALS:

the organs of reproduction

GONORRHOEA:
(38KB)

see entry in STD section

HEALTH PROMOTION:

all the activities designed to improve the health of individuals

HEPATITIS:
(25KB)

inflammation of the liver, caused by infection or drugs (e.g.alcohol)—see entries for hepatitis B and hepatitis C in STD section

HERPES:

see entry in STD section

IMMUNE STATUS:

the state of the body's natural defence to fight diseases; is influenced by age, past illness history, diet and physical and mental health. It includes production of circulating and local antibodies and their mechanism of action

IMMUNITY:
(38KB)

specific resistance to disease

INCUBATION PERIOD:

the time between infection and the development of symptoms of disease

INFECTION:

invasion of the body by organisms

INFECTIOUS:

capable of producing, or resulting from, infection

INOCULATION:
(43KB )

the introduction to the body (or culture) of an infectious organism

INTRACELLULAR:
(54KB)

found within the cell

JAUNDICE:

yellow discolouration of the skin and tissues with bile pigments

LATENT:

that which is present without showing itself; hidden, concealed, such as latent syphilis

LOCALISED INFECTION:

infection confined to one part of the body (as opposed to "systemic" spread through the whole body)

LYMPHADENOPATHY:
(27KB)

enlargement of lymph nodes

LYMPH NODES:

glandlike structures in the lymphatic system which helps to prevent spread of infection

LYMPHATIC SYSTEM:

a connecting system of vessels and glands which is important in controlling infections and limiting their spread

MACULE:

a discoloured spot or patch on the skin which is neither elevated above the surface nor thickened

MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM:
(86 KB)

see entry in STD section

MUCOUS MEMBRANE:
(27KB )

the lining of the canals and cavities of the body which communicate with external air, such as the intestinal tract, respiratory tract, and the genitourinary tract

NSU / NON SPECIFIC URETHRITIS:
(92 KB)

see entry in STD section

ONCOGENIC: 
(32KB)

anything that may give rise to tumours, especially malignant ones

OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION:

an infection which occurs because of lowered resistance of an individual

PAP SMEAR:

a smear taken from the cervix and examined to detect abnormalities of the cervix, including early evidence of cancer

PAPULE:
(27KB)

elevated skin lesion

PEDICULOSIS PUBIS / PUBIC LICE / "CRABS":
(75 KB)

see entry in STD section

PENICILLINASE:

an enzyme produced by certain bacteria which destroys penicillin

PREPUCE: 

foreskin on the penis

PROCTITIS:
(38KB)

inflammation of the rectum

PRURITIC:
(17KB)

itching

PUBIC LICE / "CRABS" / PEDICULOSIS PUBIS:

see entry in STD section

PUSTULE:
(17KB)

blister filled with pus

SAFE SEX:

sexual activity which does not allow the spread of infection

more information...

SALPINGITIS:
(59 KB)

infection of the fallopian tubes

SCABIES:

see entry in STD section

SUSCEPTIBILITY:
(54 KB)

host capability for infection, i.e. not immune to infection

SYNDROME:

a set of signs and symptoms which occur together

SYPHILIS:
(43 KB)

see entry in STD section

TEST OF CURE:

a test performed after completion of treatment to ensure that the infection has been cured

"THRUSH" / CANDIDIASIS:
(54KB)

see entry in STD section

TRICHOMONIASIS:
(59KB)

see entry in STD section

URETHRA:
(43 KB)

the urinary canal from the bladder

URETHRITIS:
(54 KB)

infection/inflammation of the urethra

VACCINE:

a preparation administered to individuals to induce immunity to specific infection

VAGINITIS:
(49KB)

inflammation (usually due to infection) of the vagina

VESICLE:
(32KB)

a small blister on the skin

VIRULENCE: 

the ability on the part of an infectious agent to induce, incite, or produce pathogenic changes in the host

VIRUS:

infective agent, too small to be seen by the light microscope, which can only grow in living cells, and is usually not affected by antibiotics

VULVA:
(14KB)

the external parts of the female genital organs, including the labia majora, labia minora, mons pubis, clitoris, perineum, and vestibulum vaginale

WARTS (GENITAL):

see entry in STD section