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