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 |
|---|---|---|
| STD | Sexually transmitted disease | 587 |
| Rx | Prescription | 588 |
| Anti-vaxxer | A person who opposes vaccines | 588 |
| DM | Doctor of Medicine | 592 |
| CPR | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation | 593 |
| RN | Registered nurse | 593 |
| ADD | Attention deficit disorder | 594 |
| ICU | Intensive care unit | 594 |
| HIV | Human immunodeficiency virus | 594 |
| PTSD | Post-traumatic stress disorder | 595 |
| vax | Vaccination | 595 |
| Snapback culture | Pressure on new moms to snap back to their pre-pregnancy bodies | 595 |
| ACL | Anterior cruciate ligament | 596 |
| AIDS | Acquired immune deficiency syndrome | 596 |
| STI | Sexually transmitted infection | 596 |
| EMT | Emergency medical technician | 596 |
| CHF | Congestive heart failure | 596 |
| BM | Bowel movement | 596 |
| OI | Opportunistic infection | 597 |
| OBGYN | Obstetrics and gynecology | 597 |
| IVF | In Vitro Fertilization | 597 |
| AMA | American Medical Association | 597 |
| MD | Medical doctor | 597 |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration | 597 |
| PPE | Personal Protective Equipment | 597 |
| Fauci Ouchie | COVID-19 vaccine | 597 |
| Perc30 | Oxycodone, commonly mixed with fentanyl | 597 |
| Flurona | Having both the flu and covid | 597 |
| meds | Medications | 598 |
| SIDS | Sudden infant death syndrome | 598 |
| CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | 598 |
| OBG | Obstetrics and gynecology | 598 |
| ENT | Ear, nose, and throat specialist | 598 |
| BLS | Basic life support | 598 |
| ALS | Advanced life support | 598 |
| DNR | Do not resuscitate | 598 |
| APS | Adult protective services | 598 |
| ARF | Acute renal failure | 598 |
| EHR | Electronic health record | 598 |
| POS | Point of service | 598 |
| Chub rub | Chafing where your thighs rub together | 598 |
| CAFO | Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation | 598 |
| Non-GMO | Unvaccinated | 598 |
| AMA | Against medical advice | 598 |
| Delta | COVID-19 Delta variant | 598 |
| Omicron | COVID-19 Omicron variant | 598 |
| HWP | Height weight proportionate | 599 |
| PFO | Pissed and fell over | 599 |
| OOP | Out of pocket | 599 |
| HGH | Human growth hormone | 599 |
| ADHD | Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder | 599 |
| ER | Emergency room | 599 |
| SOB | Shortness of breath | 599 |
| CAD | Coronary artery disease | 599 |
| WHO | World Health Organization | 599 |
| LDL | Low-density lipoprotein | 599 |
| iv | Intravenous | 599 |
| ACLS | Advanced cardiac life support | 599 |
| AED | Automated external defibrillator | 599 |
| ARI | Acute respiratory infection | 599 |
| TCU | Transitional care unit | 599 |
| STEL | Short term exposure limit | 599 |
| FPL | Federal poverty level | 599 |
| EOB | Explanation of benefits | 599 |
| BID | Twice a day | 599 |
| Long-hauler | A person suffering long-term effects from COVID-19 | 599 |
| GOMER | Get Out of My Emergency Room | 599 |
| Thumb day | When you browse your phone incessantly at the gym | 599 |
| Fire thighs | Thighs inflamed from chafing | 599 |
| ROM | Range of motion | 599 |
| BDD | Body dysmorphic disorder | 599 |
| Twindemic | A dual pandemic | 599 |
| Long COVID | Long-term COVID-19 symptoms | 599 |
| Never Covid | A person exposed to but uninfected by COVID-19 | 599 |
| ppd | Postpartum depression | 600 |
| DOC | Drug of choice | 600 |
| EPO | Erythropoietin | 600 |
| HMO | Health maintenance organization | 600 |
| AND | Allow natural death | 600 |
| DNI | Do not intubate | 600 |
| USFDA | United States Food and Drug Administration | 600 |
| ALOS | Average length of stay | 600 |
| CICU | Cardiac intensive care unit | 600 |
| AAA | Apply to affected area | 600 |
| ED | Eating disorder | 600 |
| IF | Intermittent fasting | 600 |
| NICU | Neonatal Intensive Care Unit | 601 |
| ST | Speech therapy | 601 |
| SSI | Surgical site infection | 601 |
| COI | Certificate of insurance | 601 |
| Q | Every | 601 |
| EMR | Electronic medical record | 602 |
| CVI | Cerebrovascular insult | 603 |
| OTC | Over the counter | 600 |
| PED | Performance enhancing drug | 600 |
| MCL | Medial collateral ligament | 600 |
| BP | Blood pressure | 600 |
| PPO | Preferred provider organization | 600 |
| PCP | Primary care physician | 600 |
| ITU | Intensive treatment unit | 600 |
| CCU | Critical care unit | 600 |
| ED | Emergency department | 600 |
| AE | Accident and emergency | 600 |
| ICN | Intensive Care Nursery | 600 |
| VD | Venereal disease | 600 |
| HDL | High-density lipoprotein | 600 |
| PCL | Posterior cruciate ligament | 600 |
| LCL | Lateral collateral ligament | 600 |
| DO | Doctor of Osteopathy | 600 |
| PT | Physical therapy | 600 |
| CNA | Certified nursing assistant | 600 |
| HHA | Home health aide | 600 |
| EMS | Emergency medical services | 600 |
| ALP | Assisted living program | 600 |
| AMI | Acute myocardial infarction | 600 |
| CDT | Continuing day treatment | 600 |
| COPD | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 600 |
| CRNA | Certified registered nurse anesthetist | 600 |
| CVA | Cerebrovascular accident | 600 |
| tb | Tuberculosis | 600 |
| TBI | Traumatic brain injury | 600 |
| HCAI | Health care associated infection | 600 |
| ACO | Accountable care organization | 600 |
| EOC | Evidence of coverage | 600 |
| h | Hour | 600 |
| HS | At bedtime | 600 |
| PO | By mouth | 600 |
| CTE | Chronic traumatic encephalopathy | 600 |
| Anti-vax | Against vaccines | 600 |