Abbreviation | Meaning |
---|---|
p̄ | after (from Latin post) [1] [letter p with a bar over it] |
pH | Potential of Hydrogen - Acidity of a fluid |
P | parturition (total number of live births) phosphorus pulse [1] post |
POSM | plasma osmolality |
PA | posterior–anterior, posteroanterior pulmonary artery [[physician assistant or associate [2] ]] psoriatic arthritis primary aldosteronism |
P&A | percussion and auscultation [1] phenol and alcohol matrixectomy |
PAC | premature atrial contraction pulmonary artery catheter, pulmonary artery catheterisation |
PACU | Post-anesthesia care unit [1] |
PAD | peripheral artery disease (aka peripheral artery occlusive disease) postadmission day (e.g. PAD 6 equals the sixth day of being in hospital) peripheral airspace disease Passively Acquired anti-D |
PAF | platelet-activating factor paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (meaning intermittent AF) |
PAH | pulmonary arterial hypertension phenylalanine hydroxylase |
PAI-1 | plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 |
PAL | posterior axillary line |
PALS | Pediatric advanced life support (training program) |
PAN | polyarteritis nodosa |
PAO | peak acid output |
PAOD | peripheral artery occlusive disease |
PAP | Papanicolaou stain positive airway pressure pulmonary artery pressure (see pulmonary hypertension) [1] pulmonary alveolar proteinosis |
Pap | Papanicolaou test (pap smear) |
PAPP-A | pregnancy-associated plasma protein A |
PARA I | indicating a woman with one child (partus = birth) [1] |
PARA II | indicating a woman with two children (partus = birth) [1] |
PASP | Pulmonary artery systolic pressure |
PASH | Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia |
PAT | paroxysmal atrial tachycardia |
PBC | primary biliary cirrhosis |
PBX | probiotics |
PBF | peripheral blood film |
p.c. | after food (from Latin post cibum) after meals |
PCA | patient-controlled analgesia |
PCa | prostate cancer |
PCD | postconcussional disorder primary ciliary dyskinesia |
Pcele | Pseudomeningocele |
PCI | percutaneous coronary intervention |
PCIOL | posterior chamber intraocular lens |
PCKD | Polycystic Kidney Disease |
PCL | posterior cruciate ligament |
PCN | penicillin |
PCNL | Percutaneous nephrolithotomy |
PCNSL | primary CNS (central nervous system) lymphoma |
PCO | polycystic ovary (see polycystic ovary syndrome) |
PCOS | polycystic ovarian syndrome |
PCP | Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (now called Pneumocystis pneumonia) primary care physician (also called primary care provider) |
PCR | patient care report polymerase chain reaction |
PCS | post-concussion syndrome |
PCT | progesterone challenge test Patient care technician |
PCV | packed cell volume (see hematocrit) polycythemia vera |
PCWP | pulmonary capillary wedge pressure |
PD | Parkinson's disease paroxysmal dyskinesia peritoneal dialysis physical diagnosis personality disorder program director |
PDA | patent ductus arteriosus posterior descending artery |
PDD | premenstrual dysphoric disorder |
PDE | phosphodiesterase |
PDGF | platelet-derived growth factor |
PDR | Physicians' Desk Reference |
PDT | photodynamic therapy |
PDVT | postoperative deep-vein thrombosis |
PE | pulmonary embolism [1] pre-eclampsia pleural effusion physical examination [1] |
PEA | pulseless electrical activity |
PERRLA | pupils equal, round and reactive to light [3] |
PEB | cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin (chemotherapy regimen) |
PEEP | positive end-expiratory pressure |
PEF | peak expiratory flow |
PEFR | peak expiratory flow rate |
PEG | percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy |
PEM | protein/energy malnutrition (aka Kwashiorkor) |
pen | penicillin (Best practice is to avoid drug name abbreviations) |
PEP | Post-exposure prophylaxis [4] |
PERM | Progressive Encephalomyelitis with Rigidity and Myoclonus |
PERRL | pupils equal, round, reactive to light |
PERLA | pupils equal and reactive to light and accommodation [3] |
PERRLA | pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation [3] |
Per Vag | per vagina |
PET | positron emission tomography (cerebral metabolic scan) |
PFO | patent foramen ovale |
PFT | pulmonary function test (see spirometry) |
PGCS | Paediatric Glasgow Coma Scale |
PH | Pulmonary hypertension Past history (see also medical history) |
PHx | past history (see also medical history) |
PHG | Portal hypertensive gastropathy |
PHN | postherpetic neuralgia |
PHP | Partial Hospitalization Program |
PHQ | Patient Health Questionnaire |
PHTLS | prehospital trauma life support |
PI | present illness |
PICC | peripherally inserted central catheter |
PID | pelvic inflammatory disease prolapsed intervertebral disc |
PIG-A | phosphatidyl inositol glycan A |
PIH | pregnancy induced hypertension |
PIP | proximal interphalangeal joint |
PJS | Peutz-Jeghers syndrome |
PK | protein kinase |
PKA | protein kinase A |
PKD | polycystic kidney disease |
PKP | penetrating keratoplasty |
PKU | phenylketonuria (PKU card—see Guthrie test) |
PLAT | tissue plasminogen activator |
PLIF | posterior lumbar interbody fusion (a type of spinal fusion) |
PLT | platelets |
PM | post meridiem (in the afternoon) |
PMB | post-menopausal bleeding (bleeding after menopause) |
PMD | primary medical doctor |
PMDD | premenstrual dysphoric disorder |
PMH | past medical history (see also medical history) perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage progressive macular hypomelanosis |
PMI | point of maximal impulse or apical beat point of maximal intensity |
PML | polyoma virus progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy |
PMP | Pseudomyxoma peritonei |
PMN | polymorphonuclear leukocytes, that is, neutrophils |
PMR | percutaneous myocardial revascularization polymyalgia rheumatica proportionate mortality rate |
PM&R | physical medicine and rehabilitation |
PMS | premenstrual syndrome |
PNA | pneumonia |
PNA | postnatal age |
PND | paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea postnasal drip |
PNET | primitive neuroectodermal tumor |
PNH | paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria |
PNM | perinatal mortality |
PNS | Peripheral Nervous System |
PNV | Prenatal vitamin |
PO | by mouth, that is, orally (from Latin per os ) |
POA | (Health Care) Power of Attorney |
POC | postoperative care products of conception Plan of Care |
POCT | Point-Of-Care testing [5] |
POD | postoperative days |
POEMS | POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, myeloma protein and skin changes) |
POLST | Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment |
poly | polymorphonuclear cells, that is, neutrophils |
PONV | postoperative nausea and vomiting |
POP | pain on palpation, Plaster of Paris, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Progestin Only Pills |
Post | posterior (see anatomical terms of location) |
POT | plan of treatment |
POTS | postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome |
POX | peroxidase |
PP | pulse pressure postpartum, that is, postnatal postprandial |
PPCS | prolonged post-concussion syndrome |
PPD | packs per day (cigarettes) postpartum depression, that is, postnatal depression purified protein derivative or Mantoux test, for tuberculosis testing |
PPE | personal protective equipment |
PPF | posterior pharyngeal flap |
PPH | postpartum haemorrhage primary pulmonary hypertension procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids |
PPI | proton pump inhibitor |
PPMS | Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis |
PPROM | preterm prelabor rupture of membranes |
PPS | post-polio syndrome |
Ppt | precipitate precipitating |
PPTCT | prevention of parent-to-child transmission (of HIV) (government of India initiative) |
PPTL | postpartum tubal ligation |
PPTP | Pediatric preclinical testing program |
PPV | positive predictive value positive pressure ventilation |
PPx | prophylaxis |
PR | prothrombin ratio |
p.r. | per rectum (as noun: rectal examination) |
PRA | plasma renin activity |
PRBC PRBCs | packed red blood cells |
PREA | Pediatric Research Equity Act |
Preme | premature infant (see premature birth) |
Prep PrEP | preparation |
PRES | Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome |
PRIND | prolonged reversible ischemic neurologic deficit |
PRL | prolactin |
prn PRN | as necessary (from Latin pro re nata ) (if used in chronic pain control, sometimes disparagingly termed "pain relief nil") as needed |
Prog | prognosis |
PROM | prelabor rupture of membranes partial range of motion [1] |
PRP | panretinal photocoagulation platelet-rich plasma progressive rubella panencephalitis |
PRRE | purine-rich response element |
PRV | polycythemia rubra vera (see polycythemia vera) |
PSA | prostate-specific antigen |
PBSO | partial small bowel obstruction |
PSC | primary sclerosing cholangitis |
PSCH | preoperative systemic chemotherapy |
PSGN | poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis |
PSH | Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity Past surgical history psychosocial history Past medical history (see also medical history) |
PSI | Pneumonia severity index |
PSP | phenylsulphtalein |
PSS | progressive systemic sclerosis (see scleroderma) |
PSVT | paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia |
PT | prothrombin time physical therapy (physiotherapy) |
Pt. | patient (from Latin patiens, meaning "one who endures" or "one who suffers") |
PTA | percutaneous transluminal angioplasty post-traumatic amnesia prior to admission Peritonsillar abscess |
PTB | pulmonary tuberculosis |
PTC | percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography |
PTCA | percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty |
PTD | prior to discharge preterm delivery |
PTH | parathyroid hormone |
PTHC | percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography |
PTL | preterm labor |
PTSD | posttraumatic stress disorder |
PTSS | posttraumatic stress syndrome (see posttraumatic stress disorder) |
PTT | partial thromboplastin time |
PTU | propylthiouracil |
PTx | pneumothorax |
PU | palindromic unit |
PUBS | percutaneous umbilical blood sample |
PUD | peptic ulcer disease |
PUO | pyrexia of unknown origin |
PUVA | psoralen UV A (photochemical ultraviolet light A waves) |
p.v. | per vagina (as noun: vaginal examination with manual examination and speculum inspection) |
PV | polycythemia vera |
PVC (VPC) | premature ventricular contraction |
PVD | peripheral vascular disease |
PVFS | post-viral fatigue syndrome |
PVI | Peripheral vascular insufficiency Pulmonary vein isolation |
PVOD | Pulmonary venoocclusive disease |
PVR | pulmonary vascular resistance Postvoid residual urine volume |
PVS | perivascular space persistent vegetative state pulmonary valve stenosis Plummer–Vinson syndrome |
PVT | Paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia |
PWD | Pink, warm, and dry (skin assessment) |
PWP | pulmonary wedge pressure |
Px px | physical examination prognosis patient |
P-Y | Pack-year (years of smoking multiplied by average number of packs, or fraction thereof, per day) |
PZA | pyrazinamide |
Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Symptoms include fever, weakness and headache. Usually this begins one to seven days after exposure. There are three forms of plague, each affecting a different part of the body and causing associated symptoms. Pneumonic plague infects the lungs, causing shortness of breath, coughing and chest pain; bubonic plague affects the lymph nodes, making them swell; and septicemic plague infects the blood and can cause tissues to turn black and die.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are men who engage in sexual activity with other men, regardless of their sexual orientation or sexual identity. The term was created by epidemiologists in the 1990s, to better study and communicate the spread of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS between all sexually active males, not strictly those identifying as gay, bisexual, pansexual or various other sexualities, but also for example male prostitutes. The term is often used in medical literature and social research to describe such men as a group. It does not describe any specific kind of sexual activity, and which activities are covered by the term depends on context. The alternative term "males who have sex with males" is sometimes considered more accurate in cases where those described may not be legal adults.
Post-exposure prophylaxis, also known as post-exposure prevention (PEP), is any preventive medical treatment started after exposure to a pathogen in order to prevent the infection from occurring.
Travel medicine or emporiatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention and management of health problems of international travelers.
Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a field of research, health care, and social activism that explores the health of an individual's reproductive system and sexual well-being during all stages of their life. Sexual and reproductive health is more commonly defined as sexual and reproductive health and rights, to encompass individual agency to make choices about their sexual and reproductive lives.
A needlestick injury is the penetration of the skin by a hypodermic needle or other sharp object that has been in contact with blood, tissue or other body fluids before the exposure. Even though the acute physiological effects of a needlestick injury are generally negligible, these injuries can lead to transmission of blood-borne diseases, placing those exposed at increased risk of infection from disease-causing pathogens, such as the hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In healthcare and laboratory settings globally, there are over 25 distinct types of blood-borne diseases that can potentially be transmitted through needlestick injuries to workers. In addition to needlestick injuries, transmission of these viruses can also occur as a result of contamination of the mucous membranes, such as those of the eyes, with blood or body fluids, but needlestick injuries make up more than 80% of all percutaneous exposure incidents in the United States. Various other occupations are also at increased risk of needlestick injury, including law enforcement, laborers, tattoo artists, food preparers, and agricultural workers.
Emtricitabine/tenofovir, sold under the brand name Truvada among others, is a fixed-dose combination antiretroviral medication used to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS. It contains the antiretroviral medications emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil. For treatment, it must be used in combination with other antiretroviral medications. For prevention before exposure, in those who are at high risk, it is recommended along with safer sex practices. It does not cure HIV/AIDS. Emtricitabine/tenofovir is taken by mouth.
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. It can be managed with treatment. Without treatment it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Effective treatment for HIV-positive people involves a life-long regimen of medicine to suppress the virus, making the viral load undetectable. There is no vaccine or cure for HIV. An HIV-positive person on treatment can expect to live a normal life, and die with the virus, not of it.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention, commonly known as PrEP, is the use of antiviral drugs as a strategy for the prevention of HIV/AIDS by people that do not yet have HIV/AIDS. PrEP is one of a number of HIV prevention strategies for people who are HIV negative but who have a higher risk of acquiring HIV, including sexually active adults who are at increased risk of contracting HIV, people who engage in intravenous drug use, and serodiscordant sexually active couples. When used as directed, PrEP for HIV infection has been shown to be highly effective, reducing the risk of acquiring HIV through sexual intercourse by up to 99% and injection drug use by 74%.
An occupational hazard is a hazard experienced in the workplace. This encompasses many types of hazards, including chemical hazards, biological hazards (biohazards), psychosocial hazards, and physical hazards. In the United States, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conduct workplace investigations and research addressing workplace health and safety hazards resulting in guidelines. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establishes enforceable standards to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. In the EU, a similar role is taken by EU-OSHA.
The HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) is a worldwide collaborative clinical trials network that brings together investigators, ethicists, community and other partners to develop and test the safety and efficacy of interventions designed to prevent the acquisition and transmission of HIV. HPTN studies evaluate new HIV prevention interventions and strategies in populations and geographical regions that bear a disproportionate burden of infection. The HPTN is committed to the highest ethical standards for its clinical trials and recognizes the importance of community engagement in all phases of the research process.
Rabies is a viral disease that causes encephalitis in humans and other mammals. It was historically referred to as hydrophobia because its victims would panic when offered liquids to drink. Early symptoms can include fever and abnormal sensations at the site of exposure. These symptoms are followed by one or more of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, violent movements, uncontrolled excitement, fear of water, an inability to move parts of the body, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Once symptoms appear, the result is virtually always death. The time period between contracting the disease and the start of symptoms is usually one to three months but can vary from less than one week to more than one year. The time depends on the distance the virus must travel along peripheral nerves to reach the central nervous system.
Gonorrhoea or gonorrhea, colloquially known as the clap, is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Infection may involve the genitals, mouth, or rectum. Infected men may experience pain or burning with urination, discharge from the penis, or testicular pain. Infected women may experience burning with urination, vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding between periods, or pelvic pain. Complications in women include pelvic inflammatory disease and in men include inflammation of the epididymis. Many of those infected, however, have no symptoms. If untreated, gonorrhea can spread to joints or heart valves.
Discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS or serophobia is the prejudice, fear, rejection, and stigmatization of people with HIV/AIDS. Marginalized, at-risk groups such as members of the LGBTQ+ community, intravenous drug users, and sex workers are most vulnerable to facing HIV/AIDS discrimination. The consequences of societal stigma against PLHIV are quite severe, as HIV/AIDS discrimination actively hinders access to HIV/AIDS screening and care around the world. Moreover, these negative stigmas become used against members of the LGBTQ+ community in the form of stereotypes held by physicians.
HIV prevention refers to practices that aim to prevent the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV prevention practices may be undertaken by individuals to protect their own health and the health of those in their community, or may be instituted by governments and community-based organizations as public health policies.
Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is a medication made up of antibodies against the rabies virus. It is used to prevent rabies following exposure. It is given after the wound is cleaned with soap and water or povidone-iodine and is followed by a course of rabies vaccine. It is given by injection into the site of the wound and into a muscle. It is not needed in people who have been previously vaccinated against rabies.
Invasive candidiasis is an infection (candidiasis) that can be caused by various species of Candida yeast. Unlike Candida infections of the mouth and throat or vagina, invasive candidiasis is a serious, progressive, and potentially fatal infection that can affect the blood (fungemia), heart, brain, eyes, bones, and other parts of the body.
Oni Blackstock is an American primary care and HIV physician, researcher, and founder of Health Justice, a racial and health equity consulting practice. She previously served as assistant commissioner for the Bureau of HIV for the New York City Department of Health, where she led the city's response to the HIV epidemic. Her research considers the experiences of women and people of color in healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic Blackstock shared advice on how people in New York City could maintain sexual health and slow the spread of COVID-19 as well as guidance for people with HIV and HIV care providers about the intersection of HIV and COVID-19.
Tixagevimab/cilgavimab, sold under the brand name Evusheld, is a combination of two human monoclonal antibodies, tixagevimab (AZD8895) and cilgavimab (AZD1061) targeted against the surface spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 used to prevent COVID-19. It is being developed by British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company AstraZeneca. It is co-packaged and given as two separate consecutive intramuscular injections.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is the use of medications to prevent the spread of disease in people who have not yet been exposed to a disease-causing agent. Vaccination is the most commonly used form of pre-exposure prophylaxis; other forms of pre-exposure prophylaxis generally involve drug treatment, known as chemoprophylaxis. Examples include taking medication to prevent infection by malaria or HIV. In particular, the term PrEP is now synonymous in popular usage with the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention.