Glossary
Abnormal cells
Abnormal cells are the basic building blocks of the tissues in your body that have changed or been damaged.
Anaphylactic reaction
An anaphylactic reaction is a severe rare allergic, response that can affect your whole body within minutes. Your blood pressure drops, and your airway narrows, which makes it hard to breathe. Nurses are trained to deal with this unlikely event.
Antibodies
Antibodies are proteins in the blood produced by your immune system to fight against bacteria, viruses and disease.
Cervix
The cervix is the entrance at the lower end of the womb that connects the womb with the vagina.
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is a cancer found in the entrance of the womb. Cancer is caused by the body's cells becoming abnormal and start reproducing in an uncontrollable way. These cells can then invade and destroy healthy tissue.
Cervical screening
During a cervical screening test (commonly known as a smear test), a sample of cells from a woman’s cervix is taken and examined for abnormalities, which can then be treated if necessary.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials are research studies to test new types of vaccines and medicines on patients before they are made widely available.
General practice
General practice refers to where doctors known as general practitioners (GPs) work. Usually a small group of GPs work together in a practice, which might be called a surgery, clinic or health centre, to care for NHS patients in the local community.
Genital warts
Warts are small rough lumps on the skin. Genital warts are warts found on the sexual organs and around the rectum. The skin cells in warts release thousands of viruses, so close skin-to-skin contact can pass on the infection.
Health board
Health services in Scotland are delivered through 14 regional health boards. They are responsible for providing and managing a whole range of NHS services in an area including hospitals and general practices.
HPV
HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus, a common virus that can cause cervical cancer and less serious conditions like genital warts.
Immune system
The immune system is your body's defence system, which helps protect it from disease, bacteria and viruses.
Immunity
Immunity is the response generated by the body to defend itself against infection and other damaging hazards. Immunisation encourages your body’s immune system to develop antibodies one of the cornerstones of the immune response.
Immunisation
Immunisation is the act of giving a vaccine, usually by injection, to encourage your body’s immune system to produce antibodies that will fight off a virus. It may also be referred to as vaccination.
Injection
An injection is a way of giving a vaccine or medicine through the skin, using a needle and syringe.
Pre-cancerous cells
Pre-cancerous cells are tissue cells in the body that are slightly abnormal and could develop into cancer if left untreated.
Side effects
Side effects are health problems that a few people might develop as a result of taking a medicine or having a vaccine.
Vaccine
Vaccines are made to stimulate your immune system to make antibodies that fight off a germ-causing disease without you having to become infected with the actual germ.
A vaccine is made up of several different substances and components. Most vaccines need to include additives, to help improve their effectiveness and to increase their shelf life.
You may need to be given a vaccine more than once to maintain the level of antibodies in your body – this top-up vaccine is called a booster.
Vaccination
Vaccination is the act of giving a vaccine, usually by injection, to encourage your body’s immune system to produce antibodies that will fight off a virus. It may also be referred to as immunisation.
