HBV (Hepatitis B Virus):
An infection that can be sexually transmitted and may cause severe liver disease and death. HBV is spread through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluid and saliva; it can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth or by sharing personal items such as toothbrushes, razors or by sharing needles or not properly sterilized tattoo equipment. There is a vaccine to prevent hepatitis b if you are at risk or exposed to blood such as a health care worker. Many children are now immunized very young for Hep B. See: Hepatitis B.

HCV (Hepatitis C):
A viral infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). It is most commonly spread by sharing needles or, not as frequently, by sexual contact. About 60 -70% of people infected get an ongoing infection of the liver and some of them develop liver failure and liver cancer many years later. There is currently no vaccine available.

Hawk:
Slang term referring to prostitution, or to solicit trade as a prostitute .

Hermaphrodite:
Someone with both female and male sex organs.

Heterosexism:
The bias that everyone is or should be heterosexual.

Heterosexual:
Someone who has sexual desire for people of the other gender.

Hickey
A hickey is actually broken blood vessels beneath the skin. It is kind of like a bruise, but instead of being caused by an impact with something, it's caused by another person's mouth. See hickey help.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus):
An infection that weakens the body's ability to fight disease and can cause AIDS. See Teens and HIV, Women and HIV and AIDS Cases in the USA.

Homophobia:
Fear and hatred of people who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

Homosexual:
Someone who has sexual desire for people of the same gender.

Hormonal Contraceptives:
Prescription methods of contraception that use hormones to prevent pregnancy. These include the Pill, the Patch, Depo-Provera (the shot) and so on.

Hormones:
Chemicals that guide the changes in our bodies and influence how glands and organs work. They are produced in one place in our body and used in another.

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus):
Any of NINETY different types of infection, some of which may cause genital warts. Others may cause cancer of the cervix, vulva, or penis.

HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus):
An infection that can be sexually transmitted and cause a recurring rash with clusters of blister-like sores on the vagina, cervix, penis, mouth, anus, buttocks, or elsewhere on the body. See Genital Herpes.

Hymen:
A thin elastic membrane that stretches around or across part of the opening to the vagina. It may be completely across the entrance of the vagina (vestibule). It has no known biological function. An intact hymen has long and erroneously been considered the hallmark of female virginity . The presence or absence of the hymen is no proof of virginity.