HBV
(Hepatitis B Virus):
An infection that can be sexually transmitted and may cause
severe liver disease and death. HBV is spread through infected
blood, semen, vaginal fluid and saliva; it can also be passed
from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth or
by sharing personal items such as toothbrushes, razors or
by sharing needles or not properly sterilized tattoo
equipment. There is a vaccine to prevent hepatitis b
if you are at risk or exposed to blood such as a health
care worker. Many children are now immunized very young
for Hep B. See: Hepatitis
B.
HCV
(Hepatitis C):
A viral infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C
Virus (HCV). It is most commonly spread by sharing needles
or, not as frequently, by sexual contact. About 60 -70%
of people infected get an ongoing infection of the liver
and some of them develop liver failure and liver cancer
many years later. There is currently no vaccine available.
Hawk:
Slang term referring to prostitution, or to solicit trade
as a prostitute .
Hermaphrodite:
Someone with both female and male sex organs.
Heterosexism:
The bias that everyone is or should be heterosexual.
Heterosexual:
Someone who has sexual desire for people of the other gender.
Hickey
A hickey is actually broken blood vessels beneath the skin.
It is kind of like a bruise, but instead of being caused
by an impact with something, it's caused by another person's
mouth. See hickey
help.
HIV
(Human Immunodeficiency Virus):
An infection that weakens the body's ability to fight disease
and can cause AIDS.
See Teens
and HIV, Women
and HIV and AIDS
Cases in the USA. Also... HIV
Rapid Test
Homophobia:
Fear and hatred of people who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
Homosexual:
Someone who has sexual desire for people of the same gender.
Hormonal
Contraceptives:
Prescription methods of contraception
that use hormones to prevent pregnancy. These include the
Pill, the
Patch, Depo-Provera
(the shot) and so on.
Hormones:
Chemicals that guide the changes in our bodies and influence
how glands and organs work. They are produced in one place
in our body and used in another.
HPV
(Human Papilloma Virus):
Any of NINETY different types of infection, some of which
may cause genital
warts. Others may cause cancer
of the cervix, vulva, or penis.
HSV
(Herpes Simplex Virus):
An infection that can be sexually transmitted and cause
a recurring rash with clusters of blister-like sores on
the vagina, cervix, penis, mouth,
anus, buttocks, or elsewhere on the body. See Genital
Herpes.
Hymen:
A thin elastic membrane that stretches around or across
part of the opening to the vagina.
It may be completely across the entrance of the vagina (vestibule).
It has no known biological function. An intact hymen
has long and erroneously been considered the hallmark of
female virginity . The presence or absence of the hymen
is no proof of virginity.
