Dictionary

Hct Hematocrit.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic heart condition characterized by abnormal thickening (hypertrophy) of the heart muscle, particularly the walls of the left ventricle. This thickening can make it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively and can affect the heart’s electrical system, leading to arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Key Features of HCM: If you…

hCG Human chorionic gonadotropin.

HBV Hepatitis B virus. See hepatitis B.

HBO Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. See hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

HBIG Hepatitis B immune globulin, which contains antibodies to hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBIG offers prompt but short-lived protection against infection with HBV. HBIG may be given in cases of accidents that carry a transmission risk when the exposed person has not received the HBV vaccine.

Hb Hemoglobin.

hay fever See allergic rhinitis.

Havrix A vaccine that is made from killed hepatitis A virus (HAV) and is intended to stimulate the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against HAV.

HAV Hepatitis A virus. See hepatitis A.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis See Hashimoto disease.

Hashimoto disease A progressive disease of the thyroid gland characterized by the presence of antibodies directed against the thyroid and by infiltration of the thyroid gland by lymphocytes (white blood cells activated by the immune system). Hashimoto disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in North America and Europe. In Hashimoto disease, the thyroid…