Sex Education Glossary

HEPATITIS B

A sexually transmitted disease caused by a blood-borne virus. It can cause swelling of a person's liver and sometimes their skin gets a yellow color. If it is untreated, Hepatitis B can cause cancer or severely damage a person's liver. There is no cure for Hepatitis B, but there is a vaccine that can prevent a person from getting it.

HETEROSEXUAL

A person who is sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex. Also called "straight."

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

This is the virus that can cause AIDS. Once it is inside a person's body, it begins to break down or weaken the person's immune system. A person who has HIV may not get sick for a long time. You cannot tell if a person has HIV just by looking at them. The only way to know if a person has HIV is to have an HIV test. Hospitals and clinics can test a person for HIV by using their blood, urine (pee)or saliva (spit). It is also possible to purchase a Home Access Test (HAT) to test yourself for HIV without havingto go to a hospital or clinic.

HOMOSEXUAL

Someone who is sexually attracted to someone of the same sex. Males that like males and females that like females are homosexual. Male and female homosexuals are also called "gay." Female homosexuals are also called "lesbians."

HORMONES

Chemicals that a body makes to help all the parts of the body work well.

HORNY

A slang term that means someone physically feels like they want to have sex.

HYMEN

A thin piece of skin that stretches over the opening of the vagina. People used to think that a hymen didn't have an opening in it until intercourse took place. The fact is, most baby girls are born with a hymen that has a small opening that lets blood flow out of the vagina during the menstrual period. Some girls can even be born without a hymen. The opening can be made larger with the use of tampons.