Health Slang

The healthcare industry is full of slang terms. Some acronyms and abbreviations are specialized medical terms, while others are used in everyday discussions about nutrition and fitness. Even if you're not a doctor or a nurse, many of the terms below are good to know.

Slang Term Meaning Votes
Anti-vaxxerA person who opposes vaccines
RxPrescription
STDSexually transmitted disease
CPRCardiopulmonary resuscitation
ICUIntensive care unit
DMDoctor of Medicine
RNRegistered nurse
HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus
ADDAttention deficit disorder
ACLAnterior cruciate ligament
Snapback culturePressure on new moms to snap back to their pre-pregnancy bodies
PTSDPost-traumatic stress disorder
AIDSAcquired immune deficiency syndrome
OIOpportunistic infection
MDMedical doctor
EMTEmergency medical technician
PPEPersonal Protective Equipment
Non-GMOUnvaccinated
HWPHeight weight proportionate
OTCOver-the-counter
ADHDAttention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder
IVFIn Vitro Fertilization
AMAAmerican Medical Association
FDAFood and Drug Administration
CHFCongestive heart failure
BMBowel movement
POSPoint of service
Fauci OuchieCOVID-19 vaccine
vaxVaccination
Perc30Oxycodone, commonly mixed with fentanyl
Thumb dayWhen you browse your phone incessantly at the gym
CAFOConcentrated Animal Feeding Operation
AMAAgainst medical advice
PFOPissed and fell over
medsMedications
SOBShortness of breath
STISexually transmitted infection
OBGYNObstetrics and gynecology
OBGObstetrics and gynecology
ENTEar, nose, and throat specialist
BLSBasic life support
ALSAdvanced life support
EHRElectronic health record
EOBExplanation of benefits
Long-haulerA person suffering long-term effects from COVID-19
BDDBody dysmorphic disorder
ACVApple cider vinegar
miaBulimia
ThinspirationInspiration to be thin
PEDPerformance enhancing drug
HGHHuman growth hormone
EREmergency room
CADCoronary artery disease
SIDSSudden infant death syndrome
CDCCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
ivIntravenous
LCLLateral collateral ligament
DODoctor of Osteopathy
DNRDo not resuscitate
EMSEmergency medical services
APSAdult protective services
ARFAcute renal failure
tbTuberculosis
TBITraumatic brain injury
BIDTwice a day
FitspirationInpiration to be fit
GOMERGet Out of My Emergency Room
Chub rubChafing where your thighs rub together
Fire thighsThighs inflamed from chafing
ROMRange of motion
DeltaCOVID-19 Delta variant
OmicronCOVID-19 Omicron variant
FluronaHaving both the flu and covid
TwindemicA dual pandemic
Long COVIDLong-term COVID-19 symptoms
Never CovidA person exposed to but uninfected by COVID-19
F2MFemale to male
NoPooNo shampoo
CGMCurly girl method
Co WashingConditioner-only washing
Pro-anaPro anorexia
anaAnorexia
Leg dayWorkout day specializing on legs
GainsIncreased healthiness
BPDBorderline personality disorder
ppdPostpartum depression
OOPOut of pocket
xtCross-training
EPOErythropoietin
WHOWorld Health Organization
LDLLow-density lipoprotein
ACLSAdvanced cardiac life support
AEDAutomated external defibrillator
ANDAllow natural death
DNIDo not intubate
USFDAUnited States Food and Drug Administration
ALOSAverage length of stay
AMIAcute myocardial infarction
ARIAcute respiratory infection
CICUCardiac intensive care unit
TCUTransitional care unit
STELShort term exposure limit
FPLFederal poverty level
AAAApply to affected area
QEvery
EDEating disorder
IFIntermittent fasting
FTMFemale to male
GSMGender and sexuality minority
MTFMale to female
M2FMale to female
DSABDesignated sex at birth
AFABAssigned female at birth
AMABAssigned male at birth
SOGISexual orientation and gender identity
DOCDrug of choice
PPOPreferred provider organization
HMOHealth maintenance organization
PCPPrimary care physician
ITUIntensive treatment unit
CCUCritical care unit
AEAccident and emergency
ICNIntensive Care Nursery
COICertificate of insurance
EDEmergency department
NICUNeonatal Intensive Care Unit
STSpeech therapy
SSISurgical site infection
CVICerebrovascular insult
EMRElectronic medical record
MCLMedial collateral ligament
BPBlood pressure
VDVenereal disease
HDLHigh-density lipoprotein
PCLPosterior cruciate ligament
PTPhysical therapy
CNACertified nursing assistant
HHAHome health aide
ALPAssisted living program
CDTContinuing day treatment
COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CRNACertified registered nurse anesthetist
CVACerebrovascular accident
HCAIHealth care associated infection
ACOAccountable care organization
EOCEvidence of coverage
hHour
HSAt bedtime
POBy mouth
CTEChronic traumatic encephalopathy
Anti-vaxAgainst vaccines
SAABSex assigned at birth
Arm dayWorkout day specializing on arms