This glossary currently contains medical and blood-related
terms and is regularly updated.
Click on a letter below to list terms alphabetically, or use the search facility to scan the glossary database.
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Haemarthrosis
Bleeding into a joint, causing the capsule that encloses the joint to swell.
Haematemesis
Vomiting of blood because of internal bleeding.
Haematoma
Blood accumulation in soft tissue (e.g. muscles).
Haemolytic Disease of Foetus and the New Born (HDN)
Abnormal breakup of red blood cells in the foetus or newborn. This is usually due to antibodies produced by a RhD-negative pregnant woman directed against a RhD-positive foetus. It is caused by RhD incompatibility.
Haemophilia
A term used to describe a number of bleeding disorders.
Haemophilia A
A condition resulting from Factor VIII deficiency, also known as classical Haemophilia.
Haemophilia B
A condition resulting from Factor IX deficiency, also known as Christmas Disease.
Haemophilia C
A term sometimes used to describe a condition resulting from Factor XI deficiency.
Haemophiliacs
The term applied to describe patients with one of a range of conditions that manifest as prolonged bleeding.
Haemorrhage
Bleeding with large quantity of blood lost.
Haemostasis
Natural regulatory processes that come into play to stop bleeding.
Hamstrings
Muscles at the back of the thigh that bend/flex the knee.
Hepatitis A (HAV)
Inflammation of the liver. Symptoms include nausea, fever, and jaundice, although some patients have no symptoms at all. It does not lead to chronic disease.
Hepatitis B (HBV)
Inflammation of the liver. Symptoms include fatigue, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, light stools and sometimes fatal.
Hepatitis C (HCV)
Inflammation of the liver. Chronic infection can lead to liver damage and result in cirrhosis and cancer.
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus, the causative agent of AIDS.
Home Therapy
Intravenous injection of clotting factor or immunoglobulin outside the hospital setting.
Human Plasma
The name applied to the fluid portion of the blood composed of serum and fibrinogen.
Human Serum
The clear fluid that separates from blood when it is allowed to clot and then to stand.
Hydrotherapy
The use of water to treat disease or injury, for example, exercising in water to help mobilise stiff joints or strengthen weak muscles.
Hyperimmune
A state where the body's immune system is extremely reactive against a particular antigen when it normally would not be. This occurs when the antigen is introduced into the body in large amounts (for example, by repeated injections) such that high levels of antibodies build up against it.
Hypertension
High blood pressure.
Hypervolaemia
High circulating blood volume.
Hypogammaglobulinaemia
A state of deficiency of plasma gamma globulins through impairment of antibody formation.
Hypovolaemia
Low circulating blood volume.
